7 Things I Learned about Teaching (and Assessing) Mathematics from My Sensei (Karate Instructor)

Abstract

Three years ago, two of my sons (then eight and ten years old) asked me if they could take karate lessons at a local dojo (karate school) that taught a traditional Okinawan style. My wife and I agreed to allow them to start lessons under one condition—that I could take lessons along with them. While in high school, I had studied a similar style of karate for almost four years but had not returned to the discipline in twenty-five years. My sons were excited to have me aboard, and we started taking lessons at the lowest rank of white belt.