Washington DC May 7, 2014

 At the Lincoln Memorial with Mrs. Price,  a teacher from Delaware.

Dr. Biden, a teacher at a community college in Virginia and Second Lady.

White House Teacher Appreciation Social

Wednesday, May 7^th, was an exciting day for me as I was one of twenty teachers invited to the White House Teacher Appreciation Social!!!!  

 Congratulations! You've been selected to attend the Teacher Appreciation White House Social

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The White House

Yes, I was beside myself with excitement!  How did it happen that I was invited?  I saw something on Twitter April 24^th and applied.  I don't really recall what the questions where as who thought I would be considered?  I do remember that I struggled with finding the right words and decided that I would just speak from my heart about how I work with my students. No jargon, just me.  On Thursday, May 1^st, I received my invitation!   Oh, it is so nice to think that policy makers like what I do!! 

After submitting my security clearance form, a Monday email confirmed that I needed to get myself to the White House for Wednesday.  A busy Tuesday as we made travel arrangements –my husband Jim came with me. He planned to spend the day at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. 

We were up very early to catch a 6:00 AM flight out of Manchester.   When we landed in DC, I was glad Jim was with me as I was SO excited. I was glad not to think about finding the exit from the airport, grabbing a taxicab and other details that Jim managed.

Following a tour of the White House and watching President Obama depart in his helicopter (no, we didn't get to shake hands as he didn't walk down the line) we met with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden joined us at lunch, and various other White House people spoke with us about education.  The particular initiatives of The First Lady and of Dr. Biden, lifelong educator, were explained.  

To be selected from many applicants and discover that I was the ONLY teacher from NH and the ONLY special educator there--so validating of the work that I do with children.  I felt like I represented all of us who are working so hard every day with kids.  

I had a great day last Wednesday and have so much to process about moving forward.  I say, this will probably  keep me afloat until I retire--in about 10 years!!

Using Playing Cards for Math Fact Practice

A Deck of Cards

A deck of cards presents a myriad of opportunities for fact practice.  Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—you can practice it all with a simple set of playing cards.   Generally, I remove the Ace and picture cards but a value can be assigned to those cards.    A multiplication chart and/or calculator provides the necessary assist to keep the game moving and fun.  After all, games are supposed to be fun don’t you think?  And if you can learn a few facts, awesome benefit!!

Decide which facts you want your child to practice and select the appropriate cards for practice and play.   You put the cards down, your child adds them up (subtracts, multiplies or divides), and whoever initially put down the highest value card, gets to keep all of the cards.  Check the answer (or find the answer) with the multiplication chart or calculator.  Simple and quick as you have limited the size of card deck.  No need for a marathon war game.