Algebra is My Zen Garden
One of my GT ISP students lingered in my room one afternoon on his way from tennis to his car. That is so often how my best mentoring is done...
But I thoroughly enjoyed the thread of conversation that spun from the tutoring that was taking place with my on level Geometry students. My Geometry students always want to know, "Why do I have to show the set up?" and my response is, "Because that is the Geometry--everything else from there is Algebra--just icing on the cake."
The conversation went something like this:
"I have always enjoyed showing my work for Algebra. There is something about writing down the details that is just calming."
"Yeah, it is almost Zen like."
"Like doing Karate. Going through the motions, knowing you are doing them well."
"Especially long division."
"Yeah, with polynomials."
Good stuff that. I wish that all my students could reach this level of mastery. When it becomes enjoyable, and comfortable. I wish we could all be comfortable with learning.
Geometry student long gone at this point, but one day...I keep telling them...one day these will be the easy problems to solve.
