My oldest son just got up for work and I asked him if he had learned the grid method. He said yes and that I had told him then it was stupid. I really don't remember but at least I am consistent. I asked him if he had ever used it since, no. Had he ever used it as a back-up when confused, no. This supposedly the reason for teaching it, to serve as a fallback, all I see it as is a time wasting procedure to teach and to use.