From the mouth of babes

The other day I did a quick addition/subtraction assessment on the kids in which they were given a sheet of math problems and 4 minutes to finish as many as they could. They don't get a grade - I just get to see where they are with their "math facts," as well as how comfortable they are with using them.

Anyhow, they first did the addition and had just started the subtraction when one boy said out loud (while others were trying to do this thing quietly and furiously mind you) "you can use the addition to help you with the subtraction, and you can use the subtraction to help you with the addition." Well, I was quite floored. Genius! As a teacher I was thrilled to hear this. As a "no jumping up and down and dancing," type-A, control nazi I was annoyed he was talking while others were working, as me I was highly amused. I whispered in his ear that that was one of the smartest things I had ever heard anyone say and that if he didn't mind I was going to ask him to repeat it when everyone was done with their timed test.

So everyone finished, and I asked this young boy to repeat his brilliant statement. He did. I told the class that I was so impressed that I was going to write it on the board for everyone to see and that I was also going to put it in the weekly newsletter so that all the parents could see it.

At this point said young man was beaming and smiling so hard I thought he'd burst. He said "Ms. St. John, I'm going to cut it out of the newsletter and send it to the President! That way HE'LL know how to do it too!"

Priceless.