I saw my grandaughters paper on the wall in the hall...3rd grade...every damn paper had mispelled words and awful grammar...and there wasn't a red mark on any paper...just smile faces from the teacher.
I had to teach my grandchild how to make change, too and do multiplication tables.
Make them think never give them the answers and never let them use a calculator. If I can do their problems in my head so can they, I explain how to approach a problem it is up to them to get the answer.
“I had to teach my grandchild how to make change...”
This aggravates me to no end to see how many kids AND adults who cannot count or make change. I know some of them think I’m a horse butt when I show them how to make change, but, if the cash register computer didn’t tell them how much change to give to a customer, then they would not have a clue what the proper amount is. Every now and then, one or two of them will see the light bulb go one and they thank me, but not many do. Perhaps if the schools really taught the 3 Rs and made the kids learn them, then the burger emporiums would not have to put a picture of a hamburger or fish sandwich in place of the number keys on a register.
Perhaps we "calculate" multiplication tables?
I catch myself making the same slip. This same generation substitutes "DO" for the action verb best describing a person's meaning.
I think this common expression manifests our lack of diligent thought available in language.
It's a fun challenge to encourage a youngster's response to "DO", with the action verb best communicating the intended meaning.