One Mad Minute After Another
*May 9, 2008
I apologize for my absence; I've been off having one of the worst weeks of my life.
When I was in the second grade struggling to learn my multiplication tables (which, by the way, didn't stick), I was required to participate daily in a terrible, terrible thing called Mad Minute. We basically had one minute to complete as many math problems as possible. And the irony of it all is that that minute did, in fact, drive me mad. I was so worried about doing well in such a short amount of time that I'd actually end up sitting there staring at the clock for the full minute, pencil in hand, unable to complete a single problem. Even the easy ones, like 1 times 0.
I was so afraid of failing that I failed.
I guess since this experience was almost twenty years ago, it's about time I learn something from it. So I'm doing my best to keep my head down and solve these impossible problems one at a time without letting that goddamn ticking clock get to me. I may end up failing anyway, but hell, this is the best I can do.
And maybe in twenty years I'll learn something from this experience too.
Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about Mad Minute Math! It was always stressful for me too. Math was never my subject. It's why I majored in journalism!
(OK, so that's not the whole reason why, but the joke with journalism majors is every time you'd ask why we majored in journalism, we'd say, "Because I don't do math." The thing is, it was almost ALWAYS the answer.)
- Posted by my life is brilliant | May 9, 2008 4:57 PM
I hated those dang mad minutes. I tried so hard to be the fastest and never never could win. But when I read "I was so afraid of failing that I failed" a little light bulb went off in my head. thank you.
- Posted by kim | May 9, 2008 11:05 PM
Mad minutes are the reason I am still terrified of arithmitic today. Damn the clock you hear in your head right now. Take a deep breath and take one problem at a time. Since when is frantic frenzy the best way to learn and grow. Whoever thought up mad minutes was a fool. You obviously aren't because you see the clock for what it is....not a motivator, but a paralyzing hindrance. Hoping and praying for some real inspiration and victory for you!
- Posted by Jenny-Lynn | May 11, 2008 11:32 AM
I remember the mad minutes! And I felt the same way about them. Which is why, (as a grade 2 teacher) we don't do mad minutes. Sure, I give them the sheet with all the questions but it's not timed. Because seriously, when in life are you going to have to be timed doing math?
I hope this week is better than last!
- Posted by brandy | May 11, 2008 6:26 PM
TAG! You're it!
Check out my blog for obnoxious details! :D
- Posted by Word Perv | May 12, 2008 5:26 AM
Hey friend! Thank you so so so much for your sweet comment. I come to your blog daily, even though I don't always comment :). I hope you are doing well and I hope you keep this gig up. You are good at it.
Have a lovely day.
- Posted by Katie | May 12, 2008 8:40 PM