Mathematical Adventures Await Us
When encountering new math material, framing it as an adventure into the unknown gives us a structure for how to think about the fun we'll have.
Preparing for the adventure - Physically
Before we start the adventure, we want to inventory our tools.
Before we start the adventure, we want to have a map of the territory.
Before we start the adventure, we want our bodies ready for the challenge.
Preparing for the adventure - Emotionally
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember we are doing something new.
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that we are doing something hard.
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that we may fail, and that's okay.
Preparing for the adventure - Mentally
Before we start the adventure, we want to know where the line between what we know and what we don't know is.
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that we are advancing our knowledge.
Before we start the adventure, we want a quiet mind ready to receive new information.
Preparing for the adventure - Philosophically
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that trying is the goal; achievement is not.
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that we are choosing to adventure.
Before we start the adventure, we want to remember that adventure leads us to more adventures.
Starting the adventure
When we begin the adventure, we must be alert to new things.
When we begin the adventure, we must be open to new things.
When we begin the adventure, we must look for clues and determine how they relate to what we already know.
Adventuring
As we adventure, we want to focus on (proverbially) putting one foot in front of the other.
As we adventure, we want to track where we have been.
As we adventure, we want to note things that catch our eye/mind.
As we adventure, we want to look for clues.
As we adventure, we want to use the tools we already have to see how they fit in this new environment.
As we adventure, we want to update our map of what we know.
As we adventure, we want to try to discover new tools that might apply to the old map.
As we adventure, we want to monitor our physical energy and how we feel in our bodies.
As we adventure, we want to monitor our mental energy and how we are feeling in our minds.
As we adventure, we want to save enough physical and mental energy to do it again tomorrow.
As we adventure, we don't want to stray too far from our exploration goal, lest we get lost.
As we adventure, we want to enjoy the adventuring.
As we adventure, we want to enjoy the discovery.
Finish the adventure
When we finish the adventure, we want to consider that we won the day by adventuring.
When we finish the adventure, we want to congratulate ourselves for doing something new.
When we finish the adventure, we want to congratulate ourselves for adventuring.
When we finish the adventure, we want to update our map of what we know.
When we finish the adventure, we want to write about what new tools we discovered.
When we finish the adventure, we want to think about what surprised us.
When we finish the adventure, we want to plan our next adventure.
Go forth and explore!
I raise my glass to toast you
Here’s to the next adventure for you and your kid who loves math!
That’s all for today :) For more Kids Who Love Math treats, check out our archives.
Stay Mathy!
All the best,
Sebastian Gutierrez