I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Mrs. Lynch. I've always thought of myself as a fun, hard working teacher that wants her students to be successful and excited about learning. Turns out that I'm not. I'm the meanest Math teacher ever. I had no idea until recently. All this time I've been lying to myself about the type of teacher I am.
So by now you're probably confused. Why would I say this about myself? Well, as it turns out the worst thing that you can do to a class is make them show their work on a Math test. That's right. Actually working through the math to solve a (sometimes multi-step) word problem and not accept their test as complete until they've worked out the problem is the worst thing I can expect a child to do. I did this last week on the Chapter 5 Test and it earned me the title of The Meanest Math Teacher Ever! Who knew?! This whole time I thought showing your work was the way to correctly solve Math problems. Nope! It's a way to make children unhappy.
I tried desperately to convince them otherwise. I told them a funny story about the 4th graders at Fall Forest Elementary School, with their teacher Mrs. Lunch and principal Dr. Big. They got it. They laughed. They all think I'm crazy. :) However, they still think it's ridiculous that I won't accept a test when they haven't shown their work!
I'm sorry to say that they're going to have to deal with The Meanest Math Teacher Ever, for 18 more weeks. She's not going anywhere. They will be expected to try their hardest and show their work. I'm simply not going to give in.
I need your help! When they share with you their woeful tales, remind them that I'm only doing it because I want them to succeed!
Sincerely,
The Meanest Math Teacher Ever
*This post is, of course, written in jest. Well, almost. The students are frustrated that I insist that they work out each problem, and I refuse to let them fail. Especially over something so silly.*
