Rose was going into a tizzy last night because it was taking so long to get through her homework, an entire page of math problems.

I'm sure you want to back up right now. A first grader doing homework? Ridiculous! Drill and kill, a discredited learning technique? Double-blech! And did I mention we were in a Montessori program that is supposed to emphasize hands-on techniques? Aggh! Also, I hated this stuff and looking at it turns my stomach, but that's my issue.

She had just solved 9+3. I said, "Look around. Do you see 9+3 anywhere else on the page? Ok, then you can write in the answer."

The little lightbulb went off. She realized she only had to solve 10 problems, and the sheet would be done. Since the goal of this absurd homework (I assume) is to make addition automatic, as in, you just see the two numbers and know the answer, you don't have to count it out on your fingers, my way actually gets there. And gets there pleasantly.