Math Tubs~Lazy or Genius?

Do you use math tubs? If so, please use comment below. I was exposed to math tubs while student teaching and immediately thought it was genius. Now that I have had it stuck in my head for a few years, I just can't decide - Is it lazy or genius? 

The whole idea of math tubs is that you teach a mini lesson, then have 5 tubs with different math activities prepared inside. The students can choose to do whichever one they want on each day as long as they complete all 5 activities in one week. There is some sort of checklist that the teacher signs off each day, it needs to be complete at the end of the week.

At first, I thought it was such a great idea! It makes the students so responsible in so many ways! Students are exploring on their own, and working with peers. Perhaps my memory isn't working well, and I can't find much information online about this idea but now I'm thinking...

Math tubs is a totally lazy idea! Sure it takes a little more prep, but that's a once a week thing! Also, are kindergarteners ready to take the responsibility of their own learning into their own hands? Do they really learn as much that way, as opposed to more small group instruction time? I'm thinking no. 

Things You Don't Learn In The Credential Program Part II

After thinking about my last post I realized how negative it sounds. I decided it warranted a second part that focuses on the overwhelmingly amazing parts that I was also not prepared for in the credential program.

The Joy

We all know that kids can light up lives, but teaching... Its a whole different level of joy and happiness. I love my job, I love my students, I love my school, and I love my staff. My students keep my smiling and laughing all day. I am so lucky to get to see them grow in so many ways. And the best part is, I know that I have made such a difference in each and every one of them. Some students start the year off not talking, and by now they are flourishing! They are speaking, reading, writing, solving problems, becoming great friends to others. I get to spend my day with sweet, understanding, charming, interesting little learners and am so blessed.

I love my job. My dad always said, "Love what you do and it will feel like you haven't worked a day in your life." I am so happy to say that I love what I do. Teaching is my passion. 

I am going to end this blog just like I did my last one. I believe the credential doesn't prepare you for this joy because it is something one cannot be prepared for. It simply has to be felt.

Here is a picture of our Red Ribbon Week door. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful job and class.

Things You Don't Learn In The Credential Program

I had an amazing credential program experience. I met great people, fantastic educators, and received the highest quality of education that truly prepared me for my career. I am so grateful for the experience. However, there is one thing I was not prepared for:

The Heartbreak

Though one class did touch on the issue of dealing with students who come from less than desirable home situations, no one tells you about how hard it is seeing kids come to school without food every day. The kids who tell you they didn't have dinner last night. The calls to CPS that are not dealt with adequately. The kids who are battling leukemia. The kids who have seen way to much at such a young age. The five year olds who are already bullies because their parents bully them. The students who are clearly struggling due to a learning disability that the parents neglect to deal with. The students who are juggled from foster family to foster family. 

All of these issues weigh heavily on the hearts of the teachers, and we are left feeling helpless. Sure we do ALL we can do for the child at school, but when they go home at the end of the day, the sadness kicks in. Then the wondering begins: what more can we do? So we start giving even more. We buy students food, we visit them at the hospital, we call parents do discuss how they can help their child succeed (most of whom ignore our calls), we tutor after school, we teach character above academics at times, but no matter what we do, we are left with the feeling that it is still not enough. 

I love my job even more than I thought I would. I work in a fabulous district, at a fantastic school, with the best of the best, but yet I get feelings of sadness and heartbreak that I cannot do more for the students who need it the most. 

Perhaps this is not taught in the teacher prep programs because it simply cannot be taught. One cannot be prepared for it. No matter how much I could have been taught about it, nothing would have prepared me for how it would affect me or on ways to deal with it.