I'm JUST The Mom

Rionn has been having some trouble in math.  He insists that his 2nd grade teacher taught them that they can start any math problem anywhere and come out with the right answer.  So say he has a problem that is 324+485.  He can start with 3+4 and so on.  Well, I got his state test scores back and he scored 100% in the following areas: Place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, algebra and functions.  So why he insists on taking short cuts that he knows won't come up with the answer is beyond me.  So I told him that I do math "the old fashioned" way.  To which I got, "You're just a mom.  My teacher said that I could do it this way.  And he is a teacher."  He didn't like when I asked how that method was going for him.  He's on week 3 of no screen time.  Then I got the it's only one c,d, and f.  It finally clicked when I told him that his "special" school has an 80% requirement.  All kids have to have 80% or better.  I told him that he could go to the elementary school around the corner where there are no science labs, composting, iPads, organic garden, and rocket building.  Then it clicked that all of his friends go to his school.  Where things are plush and exciting.  So I may just be the mom, but mom's old fashioned way apparently is working for the grade.  So I may be a little smarter than he thinks I am.