I almost lost my 50-feet high patience after explaining
ROMAN NUMERALS and CONTEXT CLUES .
sample scene yesterday:
This kid is smart its just that yesterday was one of those
"I'm-spacing-out-living-in-my-own-alternate-world" kind of moment.
So even if how you simplify things, he won't get it.
Benj: "Next, this is the easist. #10. What is XCVI?"
Kid: ". . . ."
Benj: "Ok. X is ___?"
Kid: "10"
Benj: ""C is ___?"
Kid: "100"
Benj. "Good. Now what will we do if a least number comes first a greater number like XC?"
Kid: "Subtract".
Benj: "Good. So XC is 100-10 = ___?"
Kid: "90!"
Benj: "Great! Now moving on, what is VI?
Kid: "6!"
Benj: "BINGO! Now, if XC is 90 while VI is 6. What is XCVI if you add 90 and 6 ?
Kid: [makes mental computation] "90,600!"
Benj: ". . . ." "Ok. again, 90+6 = ___?"
Kid: "9066!"
Benj: "Again, 90+6 = ___?"
KId: "966!"
Benj:"OK, let's do it this way. 0+6=___?"
Kid: "O!"
Benj: ". . . 0 + 6 = ___?"
Kid: "It's 0!"
Benj: [eyes the kid] "Fine. I'll tell your teacher you don't know how to subtract!"
Kid: "No. I'm sorry. It's just that 0+6 is 0".
Benj: "No, its NOT. 0+6= 6. Then you bring down 9. SO. 90 + 6 = 96."
[sigh]