… or so I thought a month ago when I cleared out my classroom. But, noooo! I went and got myself a class. However, this time I was the student, not the teacher.

As I mentioned in a prior blog, Go Sushi! I decided to enroll in a summer class to earn 3 graduate credits in Math. Despite the fact that I’m already certified in Math grades 7 to 9 it seems had I only had taken 12 grad math credits in my some 40 odd math credits it would have been a Math grades 7 to 12. *sigh* 6 more to go …

Anyway, through the Title IIA ad UFT programs, I managed to get into Brooklyn College again. The venue? UFT Brooklyn. Talk about a long ways away. The class? Number Systems and Algebra for Childhood and Middle Childhood Teachers. Intriguing…

Picture Album <-- click here

What a class! Never say “Aw, I know that!” It wasn’t so much the how you got the answer, but the why it is the answer. I tell you that was the theme of the class. We played with tiles, did visualization of the problem activities, data collection (bone measurements and tongue twisters), and all in a non-threatening way. This class even surprised me a couple times on why a problem was solved in a particular manner. None of that “because I said so!” stuff. Amazing! I can’t wait to get into a classroom and show students this math.

The classroom for this classroom is located on the 24^th floor of the UFT Brooklyn building. We had a nice view of Brooklyn and the Verrazano Bridge. In other rooms that we’ve used, you can also see Queens and Manhattan. Before I leave the class everyday I take a look at the view.

The only place in the building to get something to eat is Phoebe’s Coffee Shop. Besides coffee, you could get snacks, candy, Snapple, etc. For three weeks I would pass by once in awhile to grab a cool drink. Outside, however, there are plenty of other eateries. Street food carts, fast food court, and Starbucks, of course. On Tuesdays in front of the Supreme Court building there’s a Farmer’s market with fresh produce.

Every time I come from or go to the subway, there’s this odd sculpture. I suppose it’s art. It’s red, made of metal pieces, and I leave it to you to figure out what it is or what it represents. It’s located in Columbus Park. The park is surrounded by other big important buildings: courts, housing, municipal, and probably the Post Office.

Subway adventures. During the first week of school our car said, “No!” and I ended up taking mass transit. One and a half hours one way! No kidding! In fact the one time it was only an hour ride was because the moment I reached the curb the bus was there, and then the local train went express and the express stayed express. That only happened once. Going to was tough, the last week of school Nick drove me to class. (With side trips to China town or Queens for lunch). According to the odometer it was over 20 miles (through the city and over the Brooklyn Bridge) to get to class. At least on the way home on the train I could study, do homework, or write this blog.

The thing about subways is when you’re underground there is no cell phone signal. This is mostly in Manhattan. By the time I get to the Bronx and above ground, it is only then I can call or YM. One time, while doing my homework and using Nick’s phone with head phones (it’s an MP3 player, too!), I didn’t notice I was in the Bronx already. A call came through. With a tap on a button I started talking, “I’m in Dyckman, pick me up in a few. What do you want for dinner?” The guy beside me started to edge away from me. ROTFL

Math … area mode … they’re squares … not boxes … back to summer vacation …

Note: This would have been in my other blog, Oh the Places I've Been! Where have I taken my children this time? as New York: Brooklyn. However, despite the threats of dragging my youngest with me to Brooklyn, I didn’t. So, Phoebe’s Coffee Shop it is…