Double Numbers

I’ve always liked double numbers.

Probably because my birthday is on the 11th of a month. Seeing a double number calms me. I think of repeated numbers as thumbs-up encouragement to me from a greater being. As I type this now, I know it may sound silly. You may be laughing at me. It may seem completely irrational. But it is something you now know about me. Double numbers calm me.

Yesterday, I was equally excited and nervous. I was at a State Reading Conference, slotted to present with another colleague from my district at 2:45pm (not a calming number).

However:
The night before, as we checked in, we were given the hotel room number 2020.  Calming.

As we checked out and checked our bags during the conference morning break, I glanced at my phone. It showed 10:10am. Calming.

As we sat and reviewed our presentation over lunch, I glanced at my phone again. It showed 12:12. Calming.

I’ve always been the kind of person who shares. If I learn something that works, I naturally want others to know. This attribute served me well as a Reading Coach. Yesterday, it gave me the opportunity to share with other Reading teachers in my state. But I won’t deny it. I do get nervous before presenting. I rehearse it over and over in my head. I want it to go well. But I am nervous.
Yesterday, when I glanced and saw double numbers around me, I was able to breathe. I was able to feel a calmness from above. I was able to smile and confidently start the presentation: by saying, “Welcome! Thanks for coming to hear about how we use Reading Notebooks with our students. I am excited to share some tips with you that I hope you can take back home to help when working with your students.”

NOTE: All the resources for our presentation are on this Padlet:

If you scroll over to the LAST column, you can view the powerpoint that Katlyn and I followed during our presentation. All the other columns on the padlet are resources we use with our students as we helped them make their invisible thinking they have while they read and make it VISIBLE in their reading notebook.

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12 thoughts on “Double Numbers”

  1. katlynhbennett says:
    Reply

    I’m going to link your post in my post about yesterday, too! 🙂 After our conversations about storytelling yesterday, I like how you included the story element of the double numbers- a common thread in your day. 🙂 So happy we were able to share our work yesterday!

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    • sallydonnelly11 says:
      Reply

      I’m glad you could notice my storytelling craft move!! So glad we met last June and could collaborate through this presentation. Though at different schools and what seems like different worlds in APS, we shared strategies that help ALL kids! I Be sure to thank your kids from me! I hope your Friday goes fast. Rest well this weekend!

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  2. rosecappelli says:
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    What great resources! Thank you for sharing! And I love how you weaved in the calming double numbers. What a great opportunity you had to share with other teachers. Because that’s what teachers do, right?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. amyjuengst says:
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    You are definitely one who shares, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you for your unending generosity! Good to know the double number trick. I’m more of an even number chick myself. BTW-your presentation rocked!!!

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  4. lemenabroad says:
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    I love this. I feel this way about even double numbers but with 22. I was born on the 22nd. 2, 2s is always calming. However, prime numbers give me anxiety because I can’t divide them equally. They frustrate me.

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  5. wordjourneysite says:
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    I totally get the double number thing, Sally. When I wake up in the middle of the night and it’s 1:11 or 2:22, etc. I smile and feel much calmer. I’ve never heard anyone else talk about this. Thank you for sharing about your presentation day and letting us know how you felt.
    (Maybe my number thing is more aptly a triple number thing, ha, ha.)

    Liked by 1 person

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