Can we please keep doing this maths?

Extremely proud of, and impressed with the effort from two year 10 boys yesterday.

I presented them with a thinking problem, 'Einstein's Riddle' and observed how they went about solving it. At a point they became very frustrated ( which was sort of a focus and point of learning in the lesson) and I asked if they wanted to stop and try it again later in the week. "No Way!!" was the very firm reply!!

They kept on task for nearly an hour and could see that the lesson was soon to end, and they were nearly at the point of solving it, and knowing that I had to leave to go to another school.

At this point I offered to let them keep the work if they wanted to work on it in their own time, an offer they happily accepted.

I am so proud of them for a number of reasons...

* their ability to stay on task beyond the point of frustration

* the way they worked together, collaborated, discussed possibilities and respectfully questioned the choices of each other

* the choice of wanting to keep working on it beyond today's lesson.

For two boys who are somewhat disengaged with maths, I couldn't have been happier with the way they went about their work today, and seeing them display such faith and self belief in their own ability.

I'll leave this role on Friday knowing that these boys have developed a much better attitude towards maths, and a greater belief in what they can actually do.