We were trying to learn to multiply 4x32 in our heads by breaking the 32 into the tens (30) and the ones (2) like so... 4x32 = 4x30 + 4x2 = 120 + 8 = 128. It just wasn't working. They were frustrated with trying to break the larger numbers into manageable pieces. I was unsure how to break the steps down into chewable bits.
So we took a step back and left the lesson for a day.
Percolation ensued while they slept.
Today math was hard, but not anywhere near impossible. After an hour of solid hard work and serious enough thinking to cause little brow-furrows on several students, they got it. The looks on their faces when they realized that they had actively engaged a challenging task and mastered it by their own effort was priceless. They actually felt the sweetness of success!
I wanted to stop and dance on the desktops, I was so proud of them.
More importantly, they learned that success after hard work is something that feels really good.
And did that ever feel good for all of us.
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