What is the Aspirin for the Headache?
In his session several years ago at an NCTM Annual Conference, Dan Meyer posed the question “If math is aspirin, how do we create the headache?”
November 2021
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In his session several years ago at an NCTM Annual Conference, Dan Meyer posed the question “If math is aspirin, how do we create the headache?”
As a teacher, by nature, I am a reflective individual who is continuously improving my practice. Many times, I find new ideas and new research and want to implement the ideas in my classroom.
I recall as a young teacher feeling very inadequate when I would compare myself to other teachers to see if I measured up (what psychologists call Social Comparison Theory).
From the “Pinterest perfect” classroom to the “Amazon Wish List” for supplies to the “must do” activity that went viral on social media to the books and websites teeming with hundreds of ideas, it seems that we are continually in a race to create, produce, and enact the best and latest idea that will transform our classroom.
For many years, I thought my job as a teacher was to build a positive relationship with my students by treating them with respect while helping my students gain proficiency in math.
Are there any other West Wing fans out there? My husband and I had date night every Wednesday at 9 pm for all eight years of that show’s run. I remember one episode where President Jed Bartlett was criticized for using “big words.” His opponent claimed that Bartlett was showing off, and that he was too far removed from the public to be a good leader for them.
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