![]() It was during one of these sessions that Gemma had her own “Ah ha” moment. I figured if teachers benefitted from these moments, then parents and students would too. The second video focuses more on the symbols and emphasizes the fact that numbers can be added in any order.Īfter those first videos were made, I started working more closely with Gemma, sharing a few lightbulb moments that teachers have experienced in my professional learning sessions. The first video focuses on making tens and uses real playing cards to give students a meaningful reason to learn the strategy. She started work immediately and had her first two videos recorded and edited within a couple of hours. She likes to steal the limelight and dominate the conversation, so the idea of having her own YouTube channel was exciting. Gemma’s eyes lit up and she decided she would teach the idea using videos. Why wasn’t Gemma taught this strategy in Grade 2? Why didn’t I take the time to share this strategy with her? How many other students are not aware of this strategy? Prompted by feelings of failure as a father and as a math teacher, I suggested that she should teach other children her method. Many questions quickly popped in my head. Sadly, she answered that she had just taught herself. I asked if she remembered being taught that strategy at school. It struck me that Gemma calculated her total points particularly quickly. Unfortunately for the rest of the family, this gives her a distinct advantage when we play games like Rummikub or Five Crowns.Īfter one particular game of Uno, Gemma was left with a large handful of cards for which she had to calculate the total and deduct it from her score. She is efficient at calculating scores in her head, and she has an innate ability to see patterns and sequences within numbers. Gemma also has an exceptional aptitude for card games. For many years, she has shared in my passion and watched the business grow. Gemma has always had a keen interest in mathematics and in her dad’s business. My youngest child Gemma was born on my birthday. They are little treasures for the learner and for me. So it’s no coincidence that I call these moments little “gems”. These are the moments that make my job rewarding. ![]() During these sessions, there are always a number of little “aha” moments for teachers, regardless of their location in the world. During this time, I have delivered thousands of hours of professional learning to help educators in their mission to teach math conceptually. Over the past 25 years I have been very fortunate that my business has given me the opportunity to travel and work in several countries, including 46 states of America. Gems of math understanding or “aha” moments are often similar for teachers regardless of their location
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