Complex

Tyson was making his lunch on Wednesday morning, when he abruptly stopped spreading his jam and just stared at his unfinished sandwich.  About 30- seconds later, he turns to me, "Mom, I think my math is just too easy for me this year.  Yesterday when we were working, I finished what I was supposed to and then turned to the last page.  I was able to do it in my head."  I've seen this happen for years, so it wasn't so surprising... until I asked him what the problem was that he was able to do in his head.

5,066 x 6

Stunned that my 9-year old was claiming he could do this kind of multiplication in his head, I had him show me.  Sure enough, he got it right.  So we sat down and worked on something a little harder.  56,789 x 12.  He started by doing it a different way than I would have, but he did, in fact come up with the right answer.  I showed him the way I was taught, to which he said, "That looks so much easier than I do it.  Show me."  So I did.

Just now, as Tyson was making his sandwich, he, again, abruptly stopped for a bit and just stared at his unfinished sandwich.  "What are you thinking about, Ty?"

"I'm just thinking about the way you showed me to do that math.  I think I still remember."  So I gave him another problem.  And my 9-year old sat down and did it correct, in record time, after being shown how to do it one time two days ago.

Randy and I watched the documentary about Bill Gates.  They talked all about how his mind works, how much/fast he reads, how much he comprehends, how he craves knowledge, everything.  Tyson's brain is nowhere near his, but I seriously see so much potential in the way he analyzes and processes things.  He's four years old telling me that four 2's in eight, and he knows this because he'd been counting the drawers in our kitchen.  Ever since then, I've noticed many times that his mind thinks of math problems at random, but regular intervals.  It can be very frustrating to see him go into his own mind as he thinks when he's supposed to be doing something else, but it also fascinates me, too.  He does complex math in his head!!!

I can't believe I am saying this, considering how mentally and emotionally fragile I am right now, but I am actually seriously considering homeschool for this kid.  He's doing math right now that both Shelby and Brennon are doing (Shelby is where she needs to be, Brennon is slightly ahead), sometimes even getting the answer right before they do.  In fact, Randy posed a math question to Keilie the other day that Tyson answered almost immediately, seeming as if he didn't even need to think about it at all.  Randy and my eyes met, stunned.  I may not be able to help him at home for long, but I can teach him all the way up through algebra and then find tutors for the other stuff.  I'm telling you-- this kid is going places!