Rule Follower

Me: Marin, what is 24 + 5? (I show her a math problem from a book)

Marin: I don't know! (screaming begins)

Me: You can use your fingers to count. (I demonstrate on my own fingers)

Marin: I can't. I can't. I can't. (head drops down to table, tears begin pouring out and over, awful noises from child follow)

Me: Marin, please don't let your frustration take over. (I close book to try to follow my own advice)

Marin:

Marin:

Marin: ...very long silence...

Marin:

Marin

5 minutes later, after watching her stare out of the window while I chopped celery, I asked her if she was ready to try again. Silence from the child.

Me: What is 24 + 5? (this time without showing the problem in the book)

Marin: (dismissively) Oh. That's 29.

Me: You knew the answer the whole time? Why didn't you just say so?

Marin: You said to use my fingers. I didn't know I could use my mind.