Saturday, August 23, 2014

When Are We Ever Going to Have to Use This?


A few months ago I watched a very inspiring video clip on Upworthy featuring a teacher, Justin Solonynka. I was inspired by this video because Mr. Solonynka answered the question that teachers loathe hearing from their students--a question that students frequently ask multiple times a day.

It's very difficult to not get defensive when asked this question, and I am personally guilty of waggling my finger at my students and replying "You, My Friend, are going to use this to get out of the Eighth grade!"

Although my response seems to address the question, it always leaves me feeling as if I've failed to impart the importance of what I'm trying to teach my students. As if I can't give them a good enough reason to want to learn what I'm teaching.

 I've tried to explain to students that while they may not use a particular concept in their adult lives, they might use it. Then I go on to explain that they are relatively brand new and they don't know what they don't know. As they learn more they will discover what interests them and by continuing to learn, they are actually expanding their opportunities. 

I was so happy to have Mr. Solonynka's lead in for my attempt at an explanation, that I decided to make a poster that explains it. I love it so much, that I'm going to put it in my introductory Power Point to my students, and I'm going to refer to it often because it's going to be displayed in my classroom.

I created this poster to be uploaded to a photo center and ordered as a 20" x 24" poster print. I've personally uploaded and ordered mine from the Sam's Club Photo Center and I cannot wait to hang it up.

Since the file size is too large to ensure good resolution when printing as a poster, I've also uploaded it to my Teachers Pay Teachers store and it is $1.50.

If you want to get this poster for yourself, click here

I hope you like it!

10 comments:

  1. Thank you! My husband is a high school math teacher so he hears this question all of the time!

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    1. You're welcome, Kelly. Thank you for leaving a comment.

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  2. I LOVE this poster! I immediately had it sent to Sam's Club to print it and it came out beautifully! The only issue I had was the lady at the photo center telling me that she almost didn't print it because she thought it violated copyright laws since it had your website address on it. When I assured her that it came from the TpT store and then signed her paperwork I had no other issues. Can't wait to hang it up tomorrow! Thank you, thank you!

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    1. You're welcome, Sue. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get the poster printed. That was good thinking telling them about Teachers Pay Teachers.

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  3. Not so much algebra, but definitely trig, geometry and the like, I have most definitely used after school. Both for home (renovations and crafty endeavors) and work (fixing airplanes), so you can assure your kids that this not-so-grownup says you will use it!! ;)

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  4. Wow. My words have now been immortalized on a poster. Does this mean I'm famous? :)

    Nice job with this! Best, Justin

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    1. Yes, Justin, you ARE famous. Thank you for being famous. :)

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    2. I'm trying not to let it go to my head. Would it be possible for me to get a copy of this poster, please? My email is jsolonynka at abingtonfriends dot net. Thank you for considering!

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    3. Justin, I sent you a link to my DropBox. The file is too big to e-mail. :)

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