This week has been great.  Yesterday we had a math talk that I was very impressed with.  We solved the following problem:

Emily had 1,968 balloons to give away at the carnival.  She gave 489 on the first day and 847 on the second day.  97 balloons flew away.  How many did Emily have left over?

We had two great mathematicians offer two different answers, and we analyzed their work and found that while both had done equations that worked, one had made a small mistake in regrouping.  The fact that the class was able to come together and many kids were willing to bravely offer their work up for critique was amazing. It is important to me as a teacher that the kiddos leaving my class understand that mistakes are learning opportunities and that very intelligent people make mistakes.  It is also important to me that they come together and have real conversations about their thinking.  I am very happy to have all of your kiddos in my class.  They are incredible.