One of the clearest memories I have as a child is sitting in my fifth grade math class, being given 100 multiplication problems and trying my best to finish within one minute. I could not quite put my finger on it, but there was this feeling deep within my soul where my stomach would essentially rise into my heart, and I felt like the minute that timer went off, I was flying over that page. And I have to say, though mathematics in elementary school today is much more conceptually based and less procedurally based, being able to memorize something fully, recite a poem, know your facts. To me, back then, it was still a source of great pride. A feeling of magic. 

And so though I want my students to conceptually understand multiplication and division, I still do push for them to memorize those facts. With only three weeks left in school, I made a bet with my students. I told them anyone who can pass 100 in one minute and 5 second for multiplication and 1 minute and 20 seconds for division will earn themselves a baked cake with loads of confetti sprinkles. 

Sure you could look at this as bribery. But the purpose was not to bribe but just to change things up a bit. To offer a little magic. Because everyone knows there is nothing more whimsical than a cake with confetti rainbow sprinkles. And to see such little souls take off on the next few multiplication tests was truly exciting. Pace increased three-fold. One students in particular finished last Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Unfortunately those past three times she missed just one problem. She continued to ask for more practice sheets and finally on Thursday that hard work multiplied itself right onto her test. The students quietly circled around her desk as I check the facts and with the final problem left to check, I tapped my pencil, put it down on her paper, raised both of my fists and whispered, "Victory." The cheer that erupted could have been heard states away. Because when you offer magic, magic multiples into the hearts of everyone. They were not the least bit concerned about the fact that THEY had not passed. They wanted their teammate to experience the confetti sprinkled pride of a lifetime. Ironically, another student happened to finish the same day. Similary, the students crowded around his desk and the same applause erupted at the marks of his success. 

Life is worth celebrating. Find moments where you can sprinkle whimsy around you. It may be through rainbow sprinkles, or a silly surprise, a song, shaving cream, confetti, a simple card, a large hug, an incredible meal, a thoughtful adventure, a quiet coffee shop. Life is full of magic. You must allow it to be created among you. Picture those rainbow sprinkles behind you leading a trail wherever you go. If there isn't a rainbow, you're doing it wrong.