Confusion Endurance

At my school we have advisory, in which we have a chosen anchor text to guide instruction. The text we chose for 9th grade advisories is How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb. The concept that has struck me the most in "confusion endurance". This is the idea that in order to be truly creative you must be able to stay in the confusion and ride it out. This concept seems particularly relevant to the mathematics classroom.

Students struggle with Algebra and its abstract nature, it is confusing and (holding off on the argument that they are not developmentally ready for Algebra this early) often feels unattainable. Geometry, and especially proofs, seem beyond their reach. Even getting started can be difficult. Not knowing where to begin is unsettling and often results in the abandonment of the task altogether.

I have come to realize more than any other concept I teach, confusion endurance is the one that will be most relevant to their lives now and in the future. They must be able to face a problem and not back down. Whether than problem is mathematical, scientific, literary, or personal, they must know how to persevere through the confusion. They must be able to walk through the tunnel even when no light is visible at the other end. We must give them the courage to persist at something, not give in to the overly popular "It's too hard" mentality.

One caveat that I must add is students have become overly dependent on being fed the answer. This is not completely their fault, as many would argue. Our former (referring to the CCSS as the current) standards, did little to prepare our students to face down confusion and win. We have made them dependent upon their teacher to feed them "pre-chewed" content and regurgitate it on command. We have outlined procedures for skills, not strategies for thinking critically, essentially cutting off their ability to be self-sufficient academically. I will admit, I was this teacher.

I am excited as I look around my room and see the confusion on the students' faces. I know that if I allow the right amount of time, the answers will come. If I am patient they will venture forth. It will not be easy. The old saying "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." says nothing about the patience it takes to fill your basket with the catch of the day. Hopefully, as I present situations that may leave students confused and wondering, they will see the joy in the experience just as the fisherman gets joy from fishing even if his basket is empty.