Patience – The New Normal

It’s raining today and I have mixed feelings.

On one hand, we need the rain. Our area has been missing it… I’ve been missing it. The sound of the downpour on the roof, the smell of the first few drops. The peace of snuggling in bed with a good book or a cozy movie as everything takes a cleansing breath.

It has been a dry and very pollen-filled year so far.

Which isn’t good for someone with allergies. 🤧

On the other hand, this day of rain means no playing in our yard, no walks around the neighborhood (staying an appropriate distance away), no gardening. Even a stroll in the rain with our umbrellas and boots is out (In my part of Florida, our rain tends to fall sideways…).

Our already limited activities list has gotten smaller.

But that’s ok.

Our kids may be climbing the walls (in a very real way…), and the amount work for some of us has doubled (or tripled or decreased). And all of our collective stress has shot through the roof (with TP shortages, and lockdown rules, and changes to a schedule we’ve become comfortable with, and worries over our health and the health of our loved ones).

So, while Baby Girl is playing “The Floor Is Lava” under the protection of our back patio, I wanted to take a moment to remind you that YOU are important too.

You matter.

Your health (mental and physical), your needs, your joys. They matter.

I’ve seen lots of posts recently telling people now is a great time to do amazing things like learn a new language or how to cook, or write a book.

That’s great! If you’ve found the time, and your mind is in the right place to do that, I’m so excited to see the amazing things you can do during this time!

But also…

We’re overburdened… all of us. And maybe, the last thing you want to think about is adding something to your overly full plate.

I get that.

But do something for me (and for you).

Give yourself (at the very least) the gift of patience. Be patient with yourself this week. Don’t worry if you haven’t ultra-organized your messy closet or speed-written the next bestseller. Don’t beat yourself up if the laundry has been piling up or your dinner doesn’t look like it came from a 5-Star restaurant.

And yes, we can’t ignore our household chores (for too long), and work isn’t something that keeps still too often.

But this week… just breathe and remember: you are doing the best you can in a strange and difficult time.

This week, let patience (with your family, with your job, with the stressed-out shoppers you encounter at the grocery store, and especially with yourself) be the new normal.

Decimals, Fractions, & Percent Task Cards

Converting decimals to fractions to percent is one of those skills that certainly requires patience. From year to year, I find myself teaching, and re-teaching… and re-teaching, Over and over… and over. So, to prevent my students (and me) from going crazy with boredom (kind of like during this lockdown), I mix it up and include some different types of assignments.

This pack of task cards includes 21 pages (two sets of 26 cards) and is a great way to give students the extra practice they need with this skill. Each card gives a decimal, a fraction, or a percent. Students will convert the other two.

And bonus! Each card comes with a QR code students can scan (preferably after they’ve completed their work) so they can check their answers. This pack basically grades itself (however, an answer key is also provided in case you don’t have access to a device).

A note about QR code readers: they’re everywhere! And most of them are free. Download one you like so you can scan the codes on the card. It took me a few tries to find one without overly obnoxious ads, so if the first doesn’t appeal to you… keep looking!

Thank you for being patient while I shared some of my story. I hope this resource gives you a hint of peace this week and perhaps the chance to take a moment for yourself.