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Here’s my secret: I absolutely love my job. I feel incredibly lucky to “math” alongside kids who share my passion. These math enthusiasts surprise and challenge me every day. Over the past few months, I’ve been captivated by watching my students solve complex problems even before the concepts are formally introduced. When students grasp math conceptually, they achieve beyond expectations.

Just the other day, I was working with a group of third graders eager to push their understanding further. When kids become confused or overwhelmed, they often start doodling or wandering, which tells me I may need to dial back the challenge. Algebra is traditionally a middle school concept, but I wondered if these bright third graders could solve algebraic equations if presented conceptually.

I started with a balance scale on the board: one side held 12 coins, and the other had three bags of coins, each holding an unknown number. I asked, “What do you think?” and we discussed some “rules”—the bags didn’t weigh anything, and each held the same number of coins. Right away, they declared each bag held four coins and explained why.

We continued with more problems: this time, 7 bags and 5 coins on one side and 5 bags and 13 coins on the other. They quickly solved it, exclaiming, “Four coins in each bag!” They found answers by canceling out equal parts on each side.

Had I handed them the equation 7x + 5 = 5x + 13, they would likely have been puzzled. After all, they hadn’t worked with variables before. However, with the balance scale, they naturally understood the concept. Then something magical happened: I introduced “b” to represent the bags, and they formed the equation on their own: 7b + 5 = 5b + 13.

In traditional curricula, students start with “one-step equations,” like 2 + x = 5 or 3x = 21, progressing to two-step equations. Only later are they given problems like the ones my students solved. But these third graders showed a clear understanding of balance—they didn’t need to follow a step-by-step approach.

This experience highlights an essential truth: when students understand mathematics conceptually, rather than memorizing steps, they can excel beyond conventional expectations. Traditional methods often underestimate their potential.

Seeing students navigate complex ideas so intuitively makes me question the sequence of topics in math curricula. I’d love to see curiosity and confidence take precedence over memorizing algorithms. Learning environments that encourage exploration and intuitive understanding are what I hope for all schools. Let’s challenge educational norms and embrace the incredible potential in each child—they’ll surprise us with their creativity and insight.