approximations

BLACK Saks Fifth Avenue top, Off Fifth

same ol' jeans, Ross

Fossil key necklace, Nordstrom Rack

bubble necklace, InPINK

      Life is all about approximation. For instance, take the "it" color for 2014, Radiant Orchid. When I pull up the Pantone page, I see one hue - a dreamy, misty purple. On Ally's post, however, it has more vibrancy and zest. So I'm not sure which one is really the "right" color. Factor in that everyone's computer screen probably shows colors a little bit differently, and you wonder what you're seeing. (And it could be said that life on the Internet is all about approximations, anyhow.) So I'm not sure exactly what color this shirt is -- radiant orchid? mauve? -- but it's a new addition to my wardrobe. And in the interest of simplicity, I'm just tagging it as "purple cowlneck top."
       Teaching is all about approximations, as well. Whether you're teaching a martial art or a 9-year-old how to correctly solve a 2-digit by 1-digit multiplication problem, you teach. You model the process. You get the students engaged in helping you work through the process. Then you let them loose to do some guided practice, and you stand back and wonder. Wonder why that kid who is always doodling in a notebook and fidgeting is drawing individual tally marks when you JUST.WENT.OVER how to draw an area model as an efficient way to solve. Wonder why that extremely bright, creative kid who loves books is happily blasting his way through 45 x 6 when in actuality the problem is 28 x 8 (&*#$???! The numbers are not even close!) After all that wonder, you take a deep breath, try not to sigh too audibly, and reassess. Have that fidgety kid work with you in the back for a few moments and guide him through one problem. Look over your bright kid's shoulder and engage him in a discussion to look back at his work and make corrections.

       I guess being sick with sinus evils and laryngitis makes me philosophical, huh? There have been 8 instructional days since we came back from winter break, and I have had to call in sick for half of them. Thankfully, getting to rest my voice over the long weekend seems to be just what I needed. It's been frustrating to be out so much - it's rough starting the year feeling behind! - but I'm looking forward to resuming work life as normal on Tuesday morning.