It’s the last day of a spring break that wasn’t nearly as productive or as restorative as I wanted it to be. I spent a big chunk of it working with my daughter on a science experiment project. It’s a good, ambitious project that unfolds over a long period of time. But it is also a lot of stress because my daughter has to figure out exactly how to design and carry out the experiment, and there’s a lot that can go awry. It was good to experience that from the other side of the classroom; it’s a good reminder that when I design a project I have to provide support structures to help students overcome any concerns about failing or not being sure what to do.
And while we were at it, we got to experiment a little bit with dyeing T-shirts, so in the end I’ll call that a win.