Hobofarmer's recent activity
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Comment on What healthy habit has made a difference for you? in ~health
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Comment on What healthy habit has made a difference for you? in ~health
Hobofarmer LinkMaking a fresh, hot breakfast every morning. I get to start my day with a warm belly full of delicious food. It sets my mood for the entire day. Cycling. I love exploring my area, I do it for fun...Making a fresh, hot breakfast every morning.
- I get to start my day with a warm belly full of delicious food. It sets my mood for the entire day.
Cycling.
- I love exploring my area, I do it for fun not for speed or time or distance. Last year I went on a bike packing trip along the I&M Canal in Illinois and camped across from Starved Rock. It was beautiful. Terrible sleep because my sleep mat popped a hole but I loved it.
Crafting - mainly knitting and crochet.
- The feeling of accomplishing a task that adds joy to others lives is wonderful. It's also good for keeping my hands busy, perfect for my brand of adhd. I like listening to audio books or watching shows while crafting.
Putting the effort in to create, maintain, and support friendships long term.
- This has paid off in spades lately since I have needed to rely on those relationships a lot over the last few months. Having reliable people around that I trust has helped support me through difficult times.
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Comment on The evolution of space opera (1928 – 2025) in ~books
Hobofarmer LinkI found this an interesting overview, though it also felt a bit rushed. There's some titles I was surprised to see missing (eg Ringworld) as well.I found this an interesting overview, though it also felt a bit rushed. There's some titles I was surprised to see missing (eg Ringworld) as well.
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Comment on My relationship feels like it's collapsing and I don't know what to do in ~life
Hobofarmer Link ParentYes Formerly. I still do both. YesYes
Formerly. I still do both.
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Comment on Resist and Unsubscribe in ~society
Hobofarmer LinkRealistically this isn't possible to 100%, sorry. Especially in America. Comcast or AT&T have a monopoly or duopoly in most areas, almost every media company is ruled out, and alternatives are...Realistically this isn't possible to 100%, sorry. Especially in America. Comcast or AT&T have a monopoly or duopoly in most areas, almost every media company is ruled out, and alternatives are difficult, niche, and often more expensive.
I would happily disengage from most of these that I'm currently dealing with, but some (Eg Google) are necessary for work.
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Comment on Hi, how are you? Mental health support and discussion thread (January 2026) in ~health.mental
Hobofarmer LinkI'm not good. I'll get better, but I'm not good. I recall friends of mine when I was younger joking about calling ICE on me. Good natured ribbing. It doesn't feel like a joke anymore. Aside from...I'm not good. I'll get better, but I'm not good.
I recall friends of mine when I was younger joking about calling ICE on me. Good natured ribbing.
It doesn't feel like a joke anymore.
Aside from all that, my life is falling to pieces and I feel I'm scrambling to catch what I can. It'll get better eventually, but right now I'm having a really hard time.
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Comment on Federal officers kill another citizen in Minneapolis, National Guard activated in ~society
Hobofarmer Link ParentTell me more whyTell me more why
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Comment on Federal officers kill another citizen in Minneapolis, National Guard activated in ~society
Hobofarmer Link ParentThis is a summary execution. They pinned him down, pistol whipped him, and then shot him like a dog in the street. Absolutely inexcusable.This is a summary execution. They pinned him down, pistol whipped him, and then shot him like a dog in the street.
Absolutely inexcusable.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Hobofarmer Link ParentCan someone cast counter spell on this cold spell?Can someone cast counter spell on this cold spell?
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
Hobofarmer LinkI had my first day teaching remote learning. Things I didn't expect to have to say: "(Student name), your magic 8 ball will not give you the answers you're looking for." "Your dog cannot help you...I had my first day teaching remote learning. Things I didn't expect to have to say:
"(Student name), your magic 8 ball will not give you the answers you're looking for."
"Your dog cannot help you with your work packet."
"We can't play with your toys no matter how close to the camera they are."
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
Hobofarmer Link Parent.... And also now I have to do e learning with my class as well as my kid! Wooo!.... And also now I have to do e learning with my class as well as my kid! Wooo!
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
Hobofarmer Link ParentHonestly it can be exhausting! I use up a lot of my social/emotional battery through the day and it is really hard sometimes to come home and still have to be "switched on". I like the days we...Honestly it can be exhausting! I use up a lot of my social/emotional battery through the day and it is really hard sometimes to come home and still have to be "switched on". I like the days we have to ourselves the most though - I love hanging out with him and seeing the way my kid's mind is changing and growing.
One thing that doesn't seem to be unique among teachers... We often don't take our own advice when it comes to practicing work at home! I've spoken to numerous other educators with kids - of course we provide opportunities for their growth, read with them, etc, but we all seem to slack a bit about practicing things like sight words.
Fortunately for my son it doesn't seem to affect him much - he recently scored 99th percentile on his MAP testing and 86th percentile for reading. I don't think I need to worry much!
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Comment on What small thing made a big impact on you? in ~talk
Hobofarmer LinkMy kid is pretty small, and they've made a big impact on me.My kid is pretty small, and they've made a big impact on me.
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Comment on Why America needs fewer bus stops in ~transport
Hobofarmer Link ParentI can't speak for Chicago but I live in the northern suburbs. Bus stops need to be sheltered and have better nodes up here. I used to live in Colorado and the RTD there had shit on lock - we need...I can't speak for Chicago but I live in the northern suburbs. Bus stops need to be sheltered and have better nodes up here. I used to live in Colorado and the RTD there had shit on lock - we need to learn from them. I exclusively used public transport for years there with no issues. I still occasionally use their express busses when I visit.
Meanwhile it feels that the PACE busses here are seriously underfunded and poorly implemented.
Final thoughts: we really need to improve pedestrian infrastructure as a whole in this country. Absolutely none of the bus stops in my area have a shelter and the majority don't even have a sidewalk to stand on. It's a pole stuck in the grass on the side of the road.
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Comment on Jon Stewart is our only hope in ~society
Hobofarmer Link ParentAgreed on Pritzker. He is vehemently disliked by the right though, and will have a tough time winning the center over. He's handled Illinois adeptly though, and would do well on the international...Agreed on Pritzker. He is vehemently disliked by the right though, and will have a tough time winning the center over. He's handled Illinois adeptly though, and would do well on the international stage.
I have an innate mistrust of billionaires and he's overcome that.
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Comment on So this is 2nd grade subtraction in ~science
Hobofarmer Link ParentDM me, I taught prek for 15 years. I didn't like any curriculum out there and made my own based off of state standards. I can help you do the same.DM me, I taught prek for 15 years. I didn't like any curriculum out there and made my own based off of state standards. I can help you do the same.
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Comment on So this is 2nd grade subtraction in ~science
Hobofarmer Link ParentI think your criticism is valid. I feel (I don't have the data) that many of my fellow educators don't respect the process. As soon as I saw what New Math was trying to do I was sold. Honestly the...I think your criticism is valid. I feel (I don't have the data) that many of my fellow educators don't respect the process. As soon as I saw what New Math was trying to do I was sold.
Honestly the most difficult part of teaching it is the brutal reality that many students don't have the inclination to question these things and look for a deeper understanding. I don't mean this as a mark against them, it is just reality. Their curiosity and motivation lies elsewhere.
I have one student right now who is able to quickly pick up processes, but struggles to explain their thinking. This is another type of challenge. Clearly they can make sense of the math but their expressive language can't keep up. That's tough.
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Comment on So this is 2nd grade subtraction in ~science
Hobofarmer Link ParentYes, this is the way! It simplifies the mental math and makes even larger equations easy to break apart and calculate.Yes, this is the way! It simplifies the mental math and makes even larger equations easy to break apart and calculate.
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Comment on So this is 2nd grade subtraction in ~science
Hobofarmer Link ParentI made a longer comment in the thread but I want to jump in here and say that no in fact you do NOT "just need to know" that 16-7 = 9! We teach an idea called "friendly numbers" to help students...I made a longer comment in the thread but I want to jump in here and say that no in fact you do NOT "just need to know" that 16-7 = 9! We teach an idea called "friendly numbers" to help students with this idea, since at this level they are only JUST beginning to move from a concrete approach to an abstract approach.
The most basic "friendly number" is 10. How will that help us here? Students know they want to get to the friendly number. they see 16 - 7 and immediately change it to 16 - 6 - 1 so they can reach a much easier equation to solve: 10 - 1.
That's how you avoid memorization in math and teach number relationships at the same time.
EDIT: Woops I misread your post. I need more coffee. I think we're talking in the same direction so I'll leave my post up as well.
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Comment on So this is 2nd grade subtraction in ~science
Hobofarmer (edited )LinkHi, Second Grade Teacher here. I didn't go through the whole video because, frankly, the editing style was not my jam, but I got the gist. I've also had a LOT of discussions with people over the...- Exemplary
Hi, Second Grade Teacher here. I didn't go through the whole video because, frankly, the editing style was not my jam, but I got the gist. I've also had a LOT of discussions with people over the years about how "New Math" is just a more complicated way of doing everything, and it couldn't be further from the truth. What kids are learning these days is focused on a few key concepts:
Understanding Relationships Between Numbers And Shapes
All numbers are shapes. I want to repeat that: All numbers are shapes. This is a very weird concept for those not familiar with the idea, but once you see it it's quite intuitive. It begins with 5- and 10-frames in Kindergarten. These are tools to help children understand quantities and numbers, and is a very concrete and visual way to demonstrate an abstract idea. Children learn to work within these frames in order to build up fluency and speed at working with these "friendly numbers" (a concept we will return to later). How does this relate to shapes? Consider the following: What actually is a 10-frame? (It's an array). What is an array? (In this context, it is a set of rows and columns that shows a number). What else is this array? (A shape, and eventually a model for moving into another dimension with multiplication). By having children get used to working with numbers as shapes, we are preparing them even from such a young age to work in multiple dimensions and laying a foundation for more advanced mathematics in the future.
This ties into that funny looking model the video shows. It's role is like that of a 10-frame; it shows the relationships between numbers in an equation as a shape. Most often, it's initially a triangle (relationship between 3 numbers) and we even call it a "Fact Triangle". These number facts demonstrate the relationship between addition and subtraction in a concrete way (3+1=4, 1+3=4, 4-1=3, 4-3=1). One thing that is hammered home here is that "equals" does NOT mean "answer".
Understanding Base-10
Let's return to that 10-frame again. It's an incredible tool for introducing not just numbers as shapes and arrays, but also for building an awareness of the base-10 system most of our daily mathematics relies on. Students learn to work fast within this frame, adding, subtracting, and moving numbers around quickly and accurately. In Kindergarten and First Grade, they use manipulatives to model these ideas concretely; by Second Grade, we move more and more to written models and rapidly ramp up the difficulty as students are able to wrangle more abstract concepts. In Second Grade, we are setting multiple 10-frames side-by-side and having students move quantities around to rapidly build groups of 10 and be able to perform mathematical operations with speed and accuracy that would shock most people to see in such young learners. This all builds toward giving students a strong innate sense of what base-10 means and how it can be applied to numbers once we remove the supports of the 10-frames and base-10 blocks they rely on for concrete modeling.
Another poster also mentioned about "fast facts" and that can be lumped in here; students learn and practice "ways to make 10" so they can make those calculations quickly. We also have them work on many other facts to aid processing, but making 10 is by far the most important one.
Creating Strategies And Understanding Patterns
If it seems like your Second Grader is coming home with an enormous amount of wildly varying methods for solving problems, that's because we're teaching them an enormous amount of wildly varying methods for solving problems. This is where most people get confused. What we do in the classroom is work together to discover, create, and apply strategies that make sense for the individual learner. Each student tends to settle on finding a mental strategy that works for them, and will be able to use and explain this method well because they had a part in discovering and creating this strategy. Some examples include open number lines, change diagrams, and partial sums (this is the one most people are familiar with). We are also working on allowing students to find patterns in the problems for determining which strategy will work best in a given situation. I guarantee that if you are strong in math yourself, you grew up doing the same thing, rejecting the algorithmic process that used to be taught in favor of your own constructed methods. THIS IS WHAT NEW MATH IS DOING.
Edit: I forgot to summarize with an example
Let's use an example and how one child may combine everything discussed above to solve a subtraction problem.
51 - 25 = ?
Us adults learned the algorithm: borrow a ten from the 5, add it to 1 to make 11, subtract 5 from 11 to get 6, and then subtract the 2 from the 4 in the tens place. Combine it all to get 26. This is fine, but it doesn't rely on an understanding of how the numbers actually relate to one another.
A child in my class might do the following:
A strategy they like is the open number line:
<25---------------------------------51>
They recognize that these two numbers don't exist in isolation, they are part of the same continuum. The next step for them is to identify the distance between those numbers. They can quickly, mentally do this (and record their thinking) using this number line:
<25--------30--31---------41--------51>
It's a quick series of hops along the line (-10, -10, -1, -5) that gets the same answer when quickly counting along ("10, 20, 21, 26")
51 - 25 = 26
With this form of solving the problem, it isn't an algorithm. It doesn't exist in isolation of the numbers, it's recognizing that these numbers have a relationship.
In a nutshell: We are teaching children to think about numbers in a more intuitive and relational way, rather than just memorizing tables and algorithms.
I could go on, I love discussing pedagogy, but I feel this has gotten long winded enough. If anyone has questions I'll happily answer further.
It was absolutely not natural to me! I used to go to a Dunkin Donuts for a hot bagel every day, or Starbucks for a breakfast sandwich. I stopped being able to afford that, which turned into a big motivator for me to try something else. I began in the weekends, and started simple. Toast, breakfast sausage, and scrambled eggs. These were simple things I could put together with minimal effort while getting lunches packed for the family as well (on weekdays). I practiced it in the weekend so it could be automatic on weekdays. As I got comfortable with this, I started trying new things (again, always trying novel ideas on the weekend).
My go-to breakfast now that I barely have to think about is chorizo with potato, onion, and pepper and a sunny side up egg on top. I flavor it with chili paste and garlic. It sounds like a lot but it's effortless for me - I set it up on the stove top and spend my time while it cooks getting lunches ready, putting dishes away, or doing other morning things to get ready for the day.
This is coming from someone with ADHD - it is 100% possible for anyone!