A Magnificently Extraordinary Beginning

Thursday marked the start of a new school year.  Both my son and I entered 5th grade.  If the first two days are any indication of how this year will go, it's going to be great!  It's a long weekend and both of us are itching to get back to school.

Some quick observations: 5th graders are much smaller than 7th graders.  They are also much less mature, interrupt more, want to please and LOVE having lockers (even if learning and entering the combination is extremely stressful for some).  Thus far, I am quite enjoying these little people.

Our first week activities included

• passing a hula hoop through the class as we held hands in a circle
• answering the question "What is math?" 
• writing questions for a given image (a la 100qs) 
• See, Run, Do.  

Some classes had more time than others, so when all of the activities are complete I'll share a bit more.  In the mean time, the hula hoop activity was such a success that students begged to do it again.  When writing questions to go with a given image, aome students were so excited, they asked if they could write more than one.

In one particular class, we completed the hula hoop activity (twice) and then answered the question "What is math?"  I was blown away by their responses.  The only prompting I suggested was that they be honest, as if their math teacher were not in the room.  When they got a bit stuck, I asked them to finish the statement "When I know math is next I feel..."  Here's their list.


Prior to this year, I was lacking a great deal of confidence in my skills as a teacher.  The position I held was not a good fit for my personality or skill set and really took a toll.  While the students were sharing words like extraordinary, lovable, and magnificent, I was overwhelmed with the notion that things are going to be much different.  These students have no idea what I gift this was.  Some of these students are frustrated and bored by math.  They find it tricky and complicated.  In the same room, other students find math magnificent and extraordinary.  I have the very important job of teaching each and every one of these learners, regardless of their feelings.  The task of changing some perspectives and maintaining those extremely positive ones are equally as daunting, but I can't wait to really dive in!