Finding the Fun

“Why can’t we bring Pokemon cards to class? I thought we came to school to have fun.”

“No, we come to school to learn.”

And besides, I thought, your parents are not paying big bucks for you to come to school to play Pokemon. If that were the case, they could hire a babysitter for much less money than the cost of tuition.

However…learning can be fun.

As Mary Poppins says, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and ---snap---the job’s a game.”

Practicing skills on the iPad

Take math, for example. When I was a kid, math class meant numbers on a paper…or maybe a blackboard. These days, math is more colorful…red and yellow counters, unifix cubes in rainbow colors, games, and puzzles. The students are now using apps on the iPads to practice math skills, so math practice is accompanied by bells and whistles.

Learning about shapes

Putting together those puzzling teen numbers

 On Friday, math class involved playing games in small groups. At first, I heard some arguments as some groups disagreed on the best method of completing the task. But once the students learned to work together, they were able to complete the assignment and take pride in the finished product.

Addition practice

Subtraction practice

Using playing cards to make sums of 10

Students today have creative options for learning skills...many more options than I had back in the day. They don't all like the same activities. Some students like playing games in groups; others would rather work individually on iPads. Some students love assignments that involve crayons and coloring. Others find coloring a waste of time. Some like song and dance; others…not so much.

But over the years, I’ve noticed that the most successful students are the ones who will embrace new activities and give their best effort to the task at hand. The best students will take pride in a job well done… even when it’s a paper and pencil activity. And they’ll strive for excellence, even in activities that are not their favorites. The most successful students are the ones who maintain a good attitude and find the fun in whatever they’re doing.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Colossians 3:23

Recording observations about heat energy