Counting on Frank

In an earlier blog, I mentioned that I thought that good teaching captures the students’ sense of wonder. A good book that helps spur that enthusiasm is Rod Clement's Counting on Frank. The story is about a little boy who is forever asking questions and wondering about facts and mathematics and, of course, the story includes his big dog, Frank.  The little boy sees his world as one filled with counting, estimating, and dealing with large numbers. Teachers and parents can use this book to initiate rich conversations that begin with those very important words, “I wonder…”

Many of us are hit hard by this overly active sense of wonder. When visiting a winery a couple years ago, while some family members considered balance, tannins, and acidity, and savoring the aroma and taste. I couldn't get my mind off the numbers... how many rows?, how many many grapes?, how many bottles?, how many... The mind was boggled by the size of it all. And that was just ONE winery in the Napa Valley!

Kids aren't the only ones whose sense of wonder needs to be fueled.

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