Friday, September 2, 2016

Celebrating: Messy and Rockstars

Each week I am constantly thinking about my celebration. It really makes a huge difference with my attitude several times a week with my students.  It's been a bumpy rocky start to the school year. We have completed our second full week and we've found a little corner to start heading toward a smoother path. I am excited to Celebrate this week and thanks Ruth for encouraging me to find a little celebration everyday.


I'm celebrating messy.  Messy learning as well as messy lesson plans.  With the encouragement of my math coach, I have totally revamped the start of our math class.  We didn't jump right into 5.NBT.1 (which just reading it) you might understand why she nudged me gently to start the year "Thinking as Mathematicians" and discussing the  Mathematical Practices as my guide.  Well it's been a journey, one I wouldn't change, but one I would say hasn't been easy for me or the students.  We're truly learning together. The photo above is from a "Rich" math problem about a trip to the beach.  The students had several calculations and one of them involved long division from the old school of thought; however, most students didn't have any idea how to do it YET.  After 20 students said, "Mrs. Caplin,I need help." I put on the breaks and offered the banks (play money) and all of them tried to use money to solve the problem.  It was even crazier for me because all of them were withdrawing different amounts. However for them it was the absolute best choice.  After two days of working on the same problem. (That was another coachable moment for me) They got it.  Math is 70 minutes, but yesterday it was 110 minutes, and every child succeeded including time for a snack. 


I would rather "know" authors than anyone else who might be famous. I told my students as we were discussing our favorite authors.  After namedropping a few that I "know" I started reading conferences. A. told me he loved Cynthia Lord and his favorite books are Shelter Pet Squad. A. doesn't really like reading because it's hard.  After I posted this on my face book page, Cynthia graciously offered to send an autographed bookmark. She wrote a lovely encouraging note and as we opened the envelope you could have heard a pin drop.  A's smile was huge and he instantly told me I had to laminate both things so they could last forever.  Authors are rockstars especially when they give so graciously and have such a huge impact on our students' lives. I celebrate Cynthia Lord for having such a kind heart. Thank you.

19 comments:

  1. Good for you for figuring out the "math path" that works for the class, and for you, Maria! You must feel great about that. And I agree about authors. They are so thoughtful, and perhaps that's why we love their stories too? I love that Cynthia Lord sent those special gifts. Have a great weekend!

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    1. It sure isn't an easy figuring out Linda. Challenging at time being quiet I always want to "help" It's beautiful here I am very thankful.

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  2. I love this messy math! Embracing the unknown, the struggle and the mess was been a huge shift for our math workshop. The shift began the day I opennd Math Exchanges by Kassia Omohundro Wedekind!

    Celebrate and A and rockstar's like Cynthia Lord indeed! I am with you, I would rather meet an author than any movie star or musician.

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    1. I read the same book and really learned so much from that book and Well Played. Thanks for your comment Deb.

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  3. "Author's are rockstars" - how cool that Cynthia Lord sent the signed bookmark.

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    1. Especially when I gently nudge on face book. Hope you're having a grand weekend. Three days this time :)

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  4. Thank you for sharing your wonderful messy moments of learning. AND Cynthia Lord. She is the kindest soul. A true rockstar!

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    1. It's always fun to choose my celebrations -math found me and CL helped me remember the importance of conferences.

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  5. Authors ARE Rockstars. Thanks for sharing your story. Stories matter!

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    1. Stories always matter and it's so much fun when I am celebrate with my Saturday community. Hope you're having a great Saturday.

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  6. Perseverance counts, Maria. Thanks for sharing the math lesson that was a productive messiness. This post makes me think beyond literacy to all lessons that involve messiness as the strong point. I write about lessons being messy also but it involves literacy all of the time.

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    2. Literacy goes full circle and messy is going hand in hand. Now if I could spell messy I would be set :)

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  7. So many stories of much perseverance, growth mindset and grit in your post today, Maria. I just love it! Learning (and teaching) IS messy. The important thing is to "just keep swimming." It is so very cool that Cynthia sent your student a bookmark too. YAY for author rock stars!!

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    1. I never even considered growth mindset - thank you for that reminder in your comment. And yes I'm swimming sometimes with floats.

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  8. While math is a foreign language to me, I totally get connections to authors. Especially the most kind and generous Cynthia Lord. My students feel extra special when we make connections to authors I "know."

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    1. Thank for stopping by Margaret - learning side by side always helps me grow.

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  9. Hooray for the messiness of LEARNING!!

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    1. I think you taught me that my friend. Happy Sunday :)

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