Counting down the days until half term

James is a 12 year old student who subconsciously is thinking why the hell am I here filling out a table about the different features on different types of quadrilaterals. He feels low, bored and like he's wasting his time. He would rather be playing his Xbox because it makes him feel good.

Why do computer games make kids feel good?

They're thinking a lot! and fast! He's using his mind to solve problems! This gives him energy, wakefulness and passion. He wants more of it. There just isn't enough hours in the day for him to get enough of this feeling. Yet here he is "learning" something he doesn't care about. That's why he hates school. So why are we teaching them the different types of quadrilateral ? Can you answer this?

Perhaps you can answer this quite eloquently. Perhaps , like Mr X you have never thought about this question at all. Or perhaps like Ms Y you are asking yourself this question each and every day before , after and during each and every lesson you teach, plan or assess.

Mr X can't answer this question nor does he ask it. He's as bored and disaffected as the students. He's here because he has to be. He teaches this because its on the curriculum. Just like poor James the highlight of his day is 3.30pm and his life peaks every Friday at 5pm. That’s why he counts down the days until half term.

Ms Y has asked herself and engaged in discussion about this so many times that she can come up with something like this. At some point in the near future, perhaps in this very lesson I want James to solve a problem that will require this knowledge of types of quadrilaterals. Such problems will involve vital thinking skills that will make him feel good in the moment and also develop the type of thinking skills that are useful for his development. And James WILL enjoy Maths. He will love Maths. And he will love school.

If teachers are constantly asking themselves and each other this question they will also enjoy what they are doing and the rewards of seeing James and his fellow students grow and transform through the beauty of maths. And thank God that’s why Ms Y has stopped counting the days until half term.