Do you have hydrangeas?

Yesterday was a very hot day in Melbourne. It reached 41 degrees. I have recently purchased from Facebook marketplace 2 hydrangeas. They have to be one of my favourite plants… they can produce pink, white or purple flowers depending on the soil acidity! Pretty amazing!
Another thing I have noticed about hydrangeas is they are VERY reactive to the heat.
I would almost go as far as saying they “give up” when it gets beyond 25 degrees. You can immediately notice a change in their demeanour… there leaves go limp and the look like they are about to keel over and die!

When I see them like this I always panic  because I think “argh! I haven’t watered it lately and now its going to die”.
So I rush to the tap and pour several buckets on it in the hope I can “save it”… bondi rescue style!
The next day I come out and the hydrangea looked like this...

I feel good because my actions have “saved the day” but in reality I think its just the hydrangeas way  of seeking attention (and perhaps preserving energy).
This made me think about the little hydrangeas in out maths class… I’m sure you know them… the ones whose demeanour changes when we start maths class… they wilt and look a little like a hydrangea on a hot day!

As teachers we are programmed to help and support all our students. But often it is the little hydrangeas that catch our attention. The look at us with teary eyes or just look plain sad and we want to save them!
BUT the best thing we can often do is let them struggle. Productive struggle helps them learn strategies. Often they will get into a cycle of learned helplessness. Where they wont even try because they know we will save them.
It may be considered tough love but it is honestly the best thing for them… they soon realise you are not going to do the work for them, thinking and persistence is compulsory for everyone in this class!
so next time you someone in your class puts on the “hydrangea” act… be strong and remember the best way to save them is to in-still the confidence in them that its not about the right answer it is about giving it a go so they can blossom into beautiful flowers!