It's a good day!

Teachers have a most wonderful job. Imagine being able to mold and shape the young minds of our world. Imagine being given the trust. Imagine the joy in knowing that you are helping little people become better big people. Ok, so it doesn't always work that way, and being someone who works and volunteers daily in our local school system you get to see the good, the bad and the ugly. Lately we, the parents, have become a little jaded by our teachers and the school system - everyone say "work t0 rule!" Yep, that is what we have been dealing with this past school year. There is no joy in our school and what I am hearing from other parents, there is very little joy in most schools these days because of the 'work to rule' issue. I realize we all have the right to fight for our jobs and better conditions but at what cost! Almost all extra activities have been banned, such as the Christmas concert, theme days (we manage to salvage one day - but ONLY one day), winter carnival and so much more fun things that the students have had to give up because our teachers are 'working to rule". I guess you are wondering where I am going with this rant...

...well today I had the opportunity to help a young mind to see her way around the 9 x tables. When we began she was not interested because she was finding her times tables difficult. She was talking and making any excuse to not do the work. With much perseverance I managed to get her settled down enough to show her some tricks around the 9x tables, I showed her 3 different tricks and it was just like a light bulb went off. She got it. I was so proud of her, she was so proud of herself. She almost completely stopped talking except to comment on how she figured each one out without "cheating". She couldn't wait to get back to her classroom to show her teacher.

9 x 1 = 9
9 x 2 = 18
9 x 3 = 27
9 x 4 = 36
9 x 5 = 45
9 x 6 = 54
9 x 7 = 63
9 x 8 = 72
9 x 9 = 81

1. The two numbers added together make 9
2. The first number of the answer goes up numerically and the second number of each answer goes down numerically.
3. But the trick that really got her excited was when she realized that the answer always begins with one number less than the dividing number and that both numbers added together make 9.

We'll work on getting past 10 later, it changes a little but I know she'll catch on just as quick.

I had never seen her so excited and in such a hurry to get her work done. It was no longer a mystery, she had mastered it, she got it. And the look on her face, the pride she was showing was all I needed to make my day. That is what I wish our teachers would all remember when they are taking away the little details to our children's school day...so little can make such a difference to how they feel about themselves and their ability to learn.

Let's all remember there are many ways to teach and many things to teach...why not throw in a little fun.

Tomorrow is our one theme day - P.J. day - and the kids are so excited and as a member of our Home and School committee I am so glad that I could be a part of making that day happen. They deserve it.

It's a good day!