Counting back in tens

[usernameunknown]

I was just flicking through DD's homework book and happened to spot a comment from her teacher. DD had been asked to count backwards in 10s from 68 and had written

68 58 48 38 28 18 8 -2 -12

Her teacher has drawn a big smiley face and written "Good try DD. Can you try again using 64 and remember all numbers will end with the same unit". Then she's written -8 and -18 above DD's answer of -2 and -12!

DD is right though isnt she?

Yes! Sounds as though teacher has gotten confused about what she's asked for.

She's asked for her to do it again using 64, which is of course divisible by 8, and you'd end up with 8, 0, -8 (but then -16 not -18!). She was probably marking late at night and didnt read her original request, got all confused between your DD and somebody who she'd asked to count back in 8's?

either that, or she's completely rubbish at maths (teacher, not your DD) and needs shaming!! Write a comment back with a sad face, and see what happens

looks good to me. Just check with your daughter that the teacher hasn't messed her reasoning up and then forget about it. When I see errors by teachers in my daughter's workbooks I just cross them out.

Your DD is right!. This is because the difference between 8 and -8 isn't 10, it is 16. what age is your dd?

your DD is right yes.

Yes your Dd is right

How old is she? I'm guessing the teacher wasn't expecting them to go below zero into negative numbers.

Your DDs teacher has taught your DD that everyone makes mistakes :)

Ha ha.

Teacher is going to be most embarassed when you tell them.

Maybe put a number line on the book for effect?