Forever Learning

I've always been a curious person. Thankfully, that didn't stop as I got older. If anything, it increased. However, I don't think I was expecting to learn as many things as an elementary school substitute since I had already been there, done that.

I hope to have a few of these articles as we are constantly adding to our knowledge, and with knowledge so much more accessible now that ever before.

Just this week I relearned how to find Lowest Common Denominator in 5th Grade. I had remembered multiplying fractions and how to change a top heavy fraction into a mixed number. But for the life of me, I was drawing a blank when it came to how to add and subtract fractions with different denominators. And then it clicked. But the great thing, it that a student was the one to walk me through it. They weren't condescending, they were patient, and were tickled pick to be able to teach an adult something.

I also learned that it is a second pair of wings that beetles have that does all the flying, not the outer shell, as it's purpose is simply to distract and protect. In this same lesson, though I knew what metamorphosis was, I did not know that there was a difference in metamorphosis and a complete metamorphosis. A complete metamorphosis is when the baby form completely changes so that it looks completely different when it becomes an adult. An example...a butterfly begins as a caterpillar and evolves into what could be a totally different animal. Whereas a praying mantis has all the same features from baby to adult, it simply grows. Much like a human, I suppose.

This just goes to show that we are forever learning. Just because we are adults doesn't mean we know everything. And one of the best ways to ensure students understand a topic or concept is to let them walk you through it. Not only does this solidify the knowledge, but it increases their confidence with is a key aspect in resilience, a dying art.

Until next time...stay curious, ask questions, and keep learning.

Mrs. Stiles