Large Call to Action Headline

"To get into college.  Go clean your room." 

 **Lame!  This isn't a real "why."  I used it as a cop out and an excuse--and I knew it.  As a side note, it fuels the lie that getting to college is the goal of education, or as "an end" of some sort.  This is NOT what we believe.

"So that you can learn to do hard things."

**I still kind of buy this, but it basically admits that there isn't any value to the math itself--and that is counterproductive if you are seeking to create an education that matters and fuels your child's life and validates their journey.

"So that you don't close any doors for yourself.  Maybe you'll want to be an engineer or something."

**Hmmmm.....maybe....or something.   If so, do you need to do math in an engineer-like way NOW?  How about in a way that is likely to make you hate math?  That sure doesn't seem like a straight path to an engineering degree.  

"So that you will know how to create your own world someday."

**Yes, I have actually said this.  I also believe it, but it doesn't get at the heart of the question or offer any motivation for today.   

"So that you can function in the "real world."

**Well, this actually makes sense until the brilliant child points out that the questions he is solving has very little to do with the real world.   The common exceptions: fractions for cooking, decimals for money, percents for figuring a tip or to buy something that is on sale.  Anyone can learn those concepts in about 30 minutes. 

"So that you can think abstractly."

**"I thought you said it was so I can function in the real world?"  Well played, my child.