I've posed to dds that the formulas, etc. that they are learning are tools in a toolbox. Their job is to have the problem solving skills to be able to look at a word problem, for instance, and be able to figure out which of the tools they have can be used to solve that problem. You can have all the tools in the world, but if you don't know when and where to use them, they aren't a lot of good.
I only know that the minute I introduce a formula or a "shortcut", the thinking goes out the window. So for things like area formulae for example, we go through a lot of the basics so that DS sees how they're derived. Plus he's a visualizer and needs to "see" it in his brain. It works wonders at the algebra level because of the deconstruction required.
To MyHeartBrks,
Can't help about EPGY but am so glad to hear that things are working well and your son has his zing back!
