A Secret to Working with Freshmen (Found on Facebook)

[Scott Habeeb]

Freshman Transition Network member and 9th grade math teacher, Kaitlin Nelson, shared the following post on Facebook today.  I hope she doesn't mind me reproducing it here on the Freshman Transition Network, but I couldn't resist.  It's so simple yet reflects a profound understanding of young people.  (Actually, of people in general)

 

Want to get 9th graders to come in for extra help solving equations??

Just make yummy yummy homemade almond butter, slice apples, and serve it to them. The word spreads and they flock in for treats ... and then they sit quietly and work on their math problems. Amazing!!

 

The secret is.....  Make it fun and they will come!

[Julie A. Reed]

What an excellent idea!  Unfortunately, our school has a ZERO food policy.  Teachers are not to provide any "treats" of any kind.  I have a friend who does something similar in her English classes providing food of the time period.  It is a policy in place by our school board. :-(

[Scott Habeeb]

Ok - what's the FB story about the word "yet"?  I must have missed that (or forgotten), and YES I want the recipe!!!

[Kaitlin Nelson]

p.s. let me know if you want that almond butter recipe! ;-)

[Kaitlin Nelson]

ha ha! What a surprise to see my name on here! Thanks for posting, Scott! (And of course I don't mind you posting it here.) I thought for sure when I saw this (before reading the full post) that you might post my FB story about the word "yet." Did you see that one?? It's totally changed the atmosphere in my classroom over the past couple years. :)

Cheers!