Today was all about numbers.
Grading math practice tests, seeing percentages, thinking of how many points an answer earned. Feeling a bit defeated and deflated by the numbers. The numbers tell a story and paint a picture that doesn't match what I know to be true of my students. There are other numbers that matter too. The number of times a student smiles The number of stories they tell me The number of times they raise their hand to take a chance on answering a challenging question. The number of times they look at the clock in boredom or stay engaged in their learning. The number of times they wonder, puzzle, build or create in a day. The number of friends they help. The number of books they choose to read when they aren't being asked to read. There are many ways to measure a student, a teacher, a school. Teaching is so frequently about that which cannot be quantified, but what develops and grows in a student. Most days, this is what I hold close in my heart. Today was all about numbers.
11 Comments
3/6/2020 02:58:40 pm
This really resonated with me after I just finished grading some essays that were less than stellar. So many students putting in so much effort, raising hands, asking questions, doing homework assignments. Thanks for reminding me about all the other numbers that matter!
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3/6/2020 03:09:01 pm
You had me at "The number of times a student smiles!" You turned this around so beautifully. This needs to be published, at the very least on the LIWP website. Thanks for your insights and the care you take to be such a thoughtful teacher.
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3/6/2020 03:09:31 pm
My favorite line,
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3/6/2020 03:50:48 pm
Yes!!!! To this post!!!! I love how you took something that we are always doing and made it actually matter. That connection was beautiful. Thank you for the reminder of which numbers really matter.
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3/6/2020 03:57:55 pm
All these number count and matter - it is essential to move beyond one number and triangulate the data. The number of times a student smiles is my favorite!
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BrendaW
3/6/2020 05:51:48 pm
You're title grabbed me; I'm a bit of a data junkie. My favorite part, the part that I'll carry with me for the next few weeks was "There are other numbers that matter too." As I work preparing for state tests, I will remember your insightful words!
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3/6/2020 05:59:18 pm
I definitely don't love these numbers, Kathleen. But sadly education has begun a data game, hasn't it? I'll take a Kindergarten hug any day as a true measure of the state of things.
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3/7/2020 05:29:47 am
Numbers, yes, sometimes it is about the numbers. Sometimes the numbers are frustrating, don't add up, or give a sense of material to something that is so immaterial. People. It can be so challenging to hold onto the most important parts of our students, even when we want to. Some days are just about numbers.
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3/7/2020 05:46:10 am
Sometimes, it feels like we are what we count. That's why I was heartened, earlier this year, when our principal, stationed at the entry stairs to greet students in the morning, chose to count how many responses show heard over a series of days.
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
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