I sat and graded notebooks for most of the day (except for the part where Sandi and I moved 2000 calculators…we will not talk about that part of the day). With the flipped model, I’m on my feet all day so while I don’t exactly look forward to grading all hour every hour, I do enjoy the change in rhythm: my students are forced to stop and see how they’re really doing (they work on their own, like a quiz, but they get to correct); and I am forced to be still and quiet, which is a needed respite every now and then.
Even though I sat at my desk most of the day, I still had two students really impress me. I emailed one’s parents and wrote a note on a Post-It to put in the other’s notebook.
It’s amazing how much joy you can get by taking the time—in a meaningful, intentional way—to tell a kid you see him or her.
That’s the real gig, right?
Math is just the opening act.
The main event is adding value and dignity.
The main event is drawing out the best and truest version of each student.
The main event is love.
(The moral of the story is: let’s write more letters/encouraging notes.)
one good thing 