Charlotte Morgan and the Great Big Math Problem--Chapter 26 Almost There

  This is my next book. 

 It is currently being copy edited, (so there will be the occasional typo in this version) and I am having a few illustrations done.

I am including the tag #steemiteducation because I wrote this thinking like a teacher.  The characters use math and describe their math thinking as they work through problems.  I am a former 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade teacher, so I used my experience and background from those years as I wrote this.

Update: The book is now available for preorder on Amazon.  Click here to get it on Kindle.

Click here for chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24, Chapter 25

Summary: The morning of the big math bee

Chapter 26 Almost There

I was already sitting up in my bed when my alarm went off.  I jumped out of bed and took the one down from the wall.  There were no more days until the Turing Elementary School Math Bee.  According to clock on my nightstand, it was going to happen in two hours and fifteen minutes, or 135 minutes, or 8,100 seconds.

I went down stairs for breakfast.  My mom and dad were already at the breakfast table.  A banner was strung across the ceiling above the table, it said “Good Luck Charlotte!”

Pancakes and syrup were on the table in front of my seat.

“Umm…thanks!”  I pointed at the banner.  I motioned at the pancakes, “It’s not Saturday.”

“Do you not want them Tambourine?” asked my dad.  “We can make your regular breakfast since it’s Friday, if you want to keep your routine?”

“It’s not a problem dear,” my mom agreed with dad.

“No.  No.  No.  I’ll eat pancakes.”  I put my hand up and smiled.  I sat down at my seat, grabbed my knife and started cutting the pancakes. 

“I figured you wouldn’t want a math problem this morning,” my dad asked.

“You would be right,” I replied with a mouthful of pancakes.  I think he was a little disappointed in my answer.

“Well, okay then, I need to get to school,” he leaned down and kissed my on the head.  “You’ll do great today!”  

“Thanks for the pancakes!” I said as he headed out the door.

At school there was a banner strung across the entrance to the school pronouncing the Turning Elementary School Bee.  

“Oh, good, everyone remembers it now,” said Sally, she pointed at the banner.

Sally and I went to class and put away our stuff as we normally would.

Mrs. King called us over to her desk, “Charlotte, Sally once you get your stuff settled you too can head down to the cafeteria.  Mr. Spotts wants all the contestants to already be in the cafe.  Don’t forget your pencils, paper, and clipboard.  Good luck, we’ll see you later.”

Sally and I walked into the cafeteria.  Marcy from second grade was already waiting, Sanjey, a fifth grader was writing in a notebook.  Maria and Jefferson, two fourth graders were also waiting.  Sally and I found a table and sat down.

Sally leaned over and whispered, “I wonder if Sanjey is working on math problems right now?”

“He’s a fifth grader in advanced math.  He probably doesn’t need paper to do math problems,” I replied.

Marcus and Aaron walked in and joined us.  “Did we missing anything?” Marcus asked.

I shook my head, “Nope,  just waiting.  Nervous and waiting.”

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Aaron slapped his knees.

Mrs. Johnson popped into the cafeteria, “Good morning everyone!  Thank you everyone for waiting quietly, I’ll be here with you as we wait on Mr. Spotts to do the announcements.”  She was very eager and bubbly.  

It felt like an eternity, but according to the clock high on the wall above the stage, it was six minutes when Mr. Spotts came to get us organized.

He stood on the stage.  “Good morning everyone.  I am so glad that you are here and that you are representing your class, and Turing Elementary School.  You remember where you sat from yesterday, so let’s go ahead and get into your seats on the stage.”

We quietly wandered on the stage and found our spots.  Mr. Spotts stood in front of us, and Mrs. Johnson sat behind her table with her list of questions, timer, and buzzer.  “Okay everyone, remember to bring your materials with you when you are called, your pencil, paper, and clipboard.  Mrs. Johnson will give you your question, she will then tell you how long you have to answer the question.  If your pass the time given you, the alarm will sound.  Mrs. Johnson if you could show them what that would sound like?”  Mr. Spotts motioned at Mrs. Johnson.  She reached across her table and tapped the alarm.  An annoying low pitched sound came out of the black box, and a bright red light appeared from the front of the box.  Mr. Spotts took a step forward, “Okay, are there any final questions before we let the rest of the school and begin this year’s math bee?”

No one raised their hands.  I think we were all too scared to speak.

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