This past week I did something. I was thinking about my days as a middle school math teacher and how I always loved giving kids problems for the day or week.

That's why I love math. The problem solving. That's my favorite thing about my job as a handyman. Often I'll get clients who need a unique solution to a problem, or have something broken they can't figure out and call me.

One of my favorite calls recently was from someone whose recliner wasn't staying reclined. It was a leather recliner and they were about to spend a lot of money and have an appliance repair company take it in and repair it.

I stopped by to see if I could help and after about 20 minutes of being stumped I found the problem.

In their move, a couple of nuts had come off from a place that didn't seem like it would affect the recliner function but it did.

I didn't have the nuts on me, but once I diagnosed the problem, they were able to get the nuts themselves. They were so happy. And to be honest it made my day. Solving problems does that for me.

That's why I love math. I love solving problems. It's why I love strategy games as well.

And I know I'm not the only one. So every day this past week I have put a simple math problem on my Facebook page. And I am going to include one in the weekly challenge.

Finally, I started a math club! It's through the National Math Club and we will start having meetings in February. I haven't selected the dates or whether it will be online or in person yet.

I'm not exactly sure where we would even meet in person, but as soon as I figure that out you will be the first to know!

It's that time of the week! It's MAKER Monday! Every week, we'll share things about things we or others have made, interesting artistic creations, fun new knowledge, education in the maker community, and leave you with a weekly challenge!

Monday Maker Magic:

A few months ago I was sitting in my courtyard at 6 am journaling and enjoying the peace, when a bird paid me a visit.

I started noticing he was there most mornings and it made me want a birdhouse.

I waan't impressed with what was available to purchase so I decided I was going to make my own.

I wasn't sure what I wanted, but this past week I found a file for a feeder that attaches to a standard mouth mason jar bottle.

I printed the file (here's the link) and came up with this.

I had some macrame cord lying around and quickly learned how to make a macrame hanger.

It was all fairly easy and I'm happy with the result. And so is my feathered friend!

I saw him this morning. I need to get a picture of him to share and maybe have a contest to name him (or her).

Artistry in Action (Artist Spotlight):

A few months ago I came across this account on Instagram.​

What I love is how I came across this account.

My sister works for Southwest Airlines and she shared that one of the passengers came up and gave her a drawing she had done of her.

It inspired me to look up the artist and I loved what I saw.

What I loved most is that inspired me.

So many of us, while we wait for things, we stare at our phones. This person took the time to create.

I have decided I need a small maker bag to carry with me so that when I am stuck waiting, I can spend time creating. I would like to encourage you to do the same.

Knowledge Nuggets:

This past week was Benjamin Franklin's birthday! He is probably my favorite founding father who wasn't a president. Thomas Jefferson is favorite founding father who was.

Benjamin Franklin was especially amazing given that he cane from nothing. He is the ultimate story of the American dream. In fact, I read a biography about him years ago titled The First American.

He was an incredible inventor and tinkerer. The ultimate maker.

We all know about his kite story, but he also invented the Franklin Stove, the lightning rod, bifocals, and an instrument made of glass called the armonica! Here's a great link to his inventions.​

And here's a link to a video of the armonica!

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Education Exchange:

This week I have been listening to a fascinating book. It's called The End of Average by Todd Rose and I highly recommend it. At least the first 2 chapters since that's as far as I've gotten.

It really gets into the history behind our education system and all of the sordid details.

There was a nefarious plan used to literally dumb down the population so they can be nothing but workers. Cogs in the machine. That was the intent from its inception.

As a teacher who failed at public school but excelled in college and the classroom, I have felt conflicted ever since I learned this.

The foundations of our system were never about individualism. In fact they were explicitly against individualism.

This quote John T Gates of The Rockefeller Foundation says it all"

I intend to share more helpful hints in education, but the best advice I can give is encourage your children to explore. Without grades and without agenda.

The greatest advances in history didn't come from followers. they came from visionaries who explored.
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Rise to the Challenge (Weekly Challenge):

Here's your challenge for the week! I'm going to leave you with a math problem.

Cara was born on January 1, 2010, and her mother, Sydney, was born on January 1, 1982. In what year will Sydney’s age be twice Cara’s age?

In 2018, Cara’s brother, Nile, celebrated a birthday on January 4th. Cara’s age at that time was 4/5 Nile’s age at that time. How old was Nile’s mom, Sydney, when he was born?

The sum of the ages of Cara, Nile and Sydney each year forms an arithmetic progression. The sum of their ages in 2018 was 54. In what year will the sum of their ages be 78?

Thank you Reader for joining us this week on our making journey! If you have anything to add or you want to share what you've been working on, please don't hesitate to respond!

Please share this with your friends and help us grow our maker community! If you haven't already, like our Facebook Page and join our Facebook group, Homeschool Makers and 3D Printing Enthusiasts!​

Now get out there and create something amazing!