Well we have just concluded another year in agency, another year in this magnificent world of our imaginations, that just happens to be mathematical. Agency has morphed and changed a little this year, as it does every year, it changes according to the needs of our children, and where their minds take it. They fill in the gaps, like a pick a path book, we never quite know our destination, but there is real joy in the journey. Every year I get more confident, I try new things, some work, some don't but I always learn something.
I have to admit, my children moved me to shed a slight tear this year, as their sadness at closing the portal and saying goodbye to this world that they truly adore, was hard to say the least. A few really struggled and there were hugs all round...who would have thought maths could move us that way!
From the outside this world looks like it is about puppets, a fanciful, playful time, where completely out of my comfort zone at all times, I transform from character to character, turning each maths session into a narrative, through the beginning, weaving through tensions, coming to a big finish and ending happily ever after.
But is this world all about the puppets, not it isn't. In fact, when I started out, the puppets were not even a glint in my eye, the villains were still images, that the children brought to life themselves through drama. It worked just as well this way. So what is it, about this world, about this approach that is just THAT special. As the creator of this approach, even I am blown away by the effect it has on children and how they see themselves as learners.
Perhaps it would be useful here, just to reflect back on a year ago, where I was just as blown away, isn't it amazing that every year I can totally amaze myself all over again?
This is a blog post, written on the 1st of December 2017
Many of the ingredients from 2017 have just continued to grow in 2018. The visual images once again played a huge role, as did the talk moves, very ably lead by Cowgirl Calculation.
In fact the more I just allow myself to embrace this way of teaching, to embrace play, the more able I have become to think like a child again, a lot of the most exciting things that happen in agency come to me right before they happen, just as they would if we were all just involved in dramatic play.
So what is it about this world that make it so successful, what are the key components?
1) The hooking in. You can watch a bit more about this on my youtube channel, this stage is crucial as it allows children the time to really believe in this world.
2)The narrative...each session follows a common pattern, the entering into the world through an agreed ritual, the just in time learning with professor, the hands on or visual element, the great excitement when a client rings in with a problem, the added tension of the siren going off to signal a breach of the portal as a villain comes in to challenge us, the rush to work together to solve the problem, the fun in talking about our answers and the joy in defeating the villain with our solution, followed by the satisfaction of sorting out the clients problem, the ritual of ending. All fitted into 40 - 50 minutes.
3) The emotional connection to the characters. The need to do right by our clients, and the absolute urge to defeat our foes.
4) The added plot twists thrown in throughout the year, stolen brain gain, emergency recon missions, new villains, the kidnapping of professor or lead agent. The suggestion of a plan or two in the wind. The appearance of another portal, a recon agent gone rogue, a bomb planted...this is only limited by the imagination.
5) The fact that we are all on the same level, head agent is in charge, not us, we are simply a responsible team, recognised for our problem solving capabilities. We are not alone, we are one of many teams around NZ and are very aware of the existence of other agencies.
6)The key...when we close agency, we all keep a key in our pocket, a key that can open the door again, this leaves the possibility there that we once again may be agents in some other form and that the world has not gone for good.
7) The fun...it is just that, fun! It is playful, it is memorable!
8) The challenge...never easy, we have to work to grow our brains like a muscle, always needing to be one step ahead!
9) The relationships, perhaps the most important thing, the children love the goodies and the baddies...they truly care about them and respect them! They actually listen far better to Cowgirl and Professor then they ever do to me out of role.
10)Most learning is done out loud through song, visually and with materials. There is little burden on children to write and there is not a worksheet in sight!
11) Expert positioning, we are already experts, it feels good and children are much more inclined to have a go and take responsible risks when positioned in this way.
12) In the words of one of my children "the villains do what they say" eg Subtraction Shark poses subtraction problems, Knight Adder adds, The Grouping Goblin groups...etc there is no great mystery. Children quickly cotton on to these different functions and develop excellent strategies when allowed the scope to do so.
13) And as with most things in teaching, the real key is you...it is your enthusiasm for this world that will really ignite the learning. Like anything, if you are just going through the motions, hoping for this to work for you, it wont.
As an aside, mathematical results are awesome using this approach, but the biggest benefit is to mindset, no more maths anxiety in sight! We have to remember that children are not data and childhood is not a learning difficulty.
I love teaching this way, the children love learning this way, and I can not wait until next year!
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