Last summer, I learned how to install laminate flooring. Along the way, I learned a lot about flooring and how to deal with one of those large, retail hardware stores. But the majority of my learning was about improving teaching and learning. On a sweltering day in July, I wandered the aisles of a large home improvement store. A thought hit me when I saw the flooring a friend had installed in her house: I needed flooring in a recent home addition. I’m no handyman, but after a persuasive discussion with a clerk, I bought eight boxes of “easy-to-install” flooring. I felt confident because my friend had installed the flooring quickly and easily. The next day, I arose early, carefully read the directions, and immediately realized I didn’t have the necessary tools. The directions