In education, we’re often reminded to “remember our why.” It makes a cute desk sign. But public education has been hard in recent years, even for those of us who don’t teach. Our “why” can become blurred or hidden in the fog of distractions that permeate our society.
My “why” today seemed survival. I wasn’t feeling well, my schedule was derailed, I was hangry, and running late for every meeting and appointment. I finally broke free from my office to visit the elementary school where Greg Tang was supporting our teachers in helping students develop algebraic thinking. I sat in on a lesson in a fourth-grade classroom. Mr. Tang is a math expert, author, and entrepreneur who founded Tang Math. It’s a conceptual way for kids to develop number sense: it helps kids “do math” in their heads. I learn something every time I observe a lesson.
Our students react to Mr. Tang as my generation did Mr. Rogers and my own children did Bill Nye the Science Guy. One asked for his autograph, another for a hug. He bumped fists and high-fived his way through the room.
As Mr. Tang worked through today’s lesson, he asked questions and would call on students by descriptor, “Does someone wearing a pink shirt have a new way of solving the problem?” or by saying something like, “You look smart – what’s the answer?” The students were rapt pupils, fully engaged with Mr. Tang who encouraged them to discuss the problems and share their ideas.
At one point, Mr. Tang asked a student, “You look clever! How did you solve the problem?” The child explained his answer and his reasoning, and Mr. Tang cheered, “I knew it! You are very clever!” I was directly behind the child and couldn’t see his expression, but he sat straighter in his seat.
