Just move the stickers. That was my approach when I tried to solve Rubik’s Cube as a kid. It is one strategy, after all.
As an adult, I was in a training on scholar skills for mathematicians and scientists when I decided I wanted to actually solve it. I wasn’t going to be able to without the help of someone who knew how. I found algorithms that I was never going to remember. Then, I found a great dad online who followed a story with elements such as dragons that soared upwards and kites that flew sideways. I learned that it wasn’t a cube of endless frustration and my next steps didn’t have to undo what I had already accomplished. I did it! In fact, I was really proud of myself.
Now I love puzzles and challenges. I love the satisfying feeling of conquering what seemed impossible.
I love teaching for the same reason. I love teaching in an engaging way. I love watching students think that a subject is easy because they were taught well, not knowing that others struggle with that concept. I love the look on a math student’s face when we transform something that felt like an unsolvable problem into a pattern that always works. I love it even more when they find the pattern themselves! They own it because it is theirs. I love the look on a writing student’s face when they find the right words to stories or arguments that only used to exist in their head, if at all.
Grit only comes when we conquer something hard and feel the satisfaction of doing what we though we could never do. I create an atmosphere where students can acquire grit. (See Angela Duckworth.) Puzzles add to our classroom experience and dramatically improve critical thinking skills. Plus they remind us that learning can be fun!
I homeschooled my own children to meet their individual needs including giftedness, avoidance, ADHD and ASD neurodiversity. With three now grown and one left in elementary school, I have successful solutions for those with short attention span, high energy, apathy toward education, or learning differences. I also know firsthand the pitfalls of independent learning and the must-dos to prepare students to survive and succeed after graduation.
In our class, we pursue quality work but not at the expense of stressful perfectionism. I make mistakes (scheduling mix-ups, missed assignment posting, etc) so if that may cause you or your family stress, I may not be the best teacher for your family. In our class, it is ok to feel lost while we train our brain. It is ok to guess and be wrong. High achievers and those who need time to absorb concepts all benefit. We are all here to learn.
Best of all, our class creates a place where kids can be with each other. In fact, kids often learn more from each other than they do from me. In our class, we create communities of friends who enjoy meeting up each week. We learn diversity and acceptance, while having fun along the way.
I look forward to meeting you and seeing if our class can make a difference in your family’s education.
