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November 2012

Ratios for Real

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-11-30 17:54


Many students came back from Thanksgiving break fresh from a long weekend with NO HOMEWORK! Phew…they got away with not thinking about math for the entire weekend…or did they? As they slide back into their school routine, you may want to discuss where math might have snuck into their Thanksgiving break. Were any of them helping in the kitchen? They were probably working with ratios, proportions, and multiplication without even knowing it. Were they fighting over the last pieces of pumpkin pie? It was the study of fractions at work! Bringing these instances of “real-world” math to students’ attention can help them realize the prevalence of math in their everyday lives (and the importance of math when creating a tasty meal).

Joann's companion column: 
Divine Proportions: Teaching Ratios

It’s a Wanderful Life: Technology and the Love of Reading

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-11-16 15:46


Throughout the changes in education over the years, one goal has remained constant: children must learn to read. It’s a crucial skill for success in every other subject and ultimately, success in life. There is such a focus on the best methods for teaching kids to read; the importance of encouraging the love of reading is often blurred. Students might learn to successfully decode words and read, but they won’t make a habit of reading for pleasure unless they enjoy it.

Joann's companion column: 
Motivating Students to Read

Step Into a Pilgrim’s Shoes

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-11-09 17:55


Half the class will don funny hats and call themselves pilgrims. Another group will wear feathers in their hair and brown paper-bag vests to be “Indians.” One unlucky soul will portray the ill-fated turkey in this yearly reenactment of the First Thanksgiving in primary classrooms across the US. This type of role-playing simplifies the relationship between these English colonists and the Wampanoag People. This type of play teaches young students good lessons about perseverance and cooperation, but often glosses over the challenges and sacrifices that are part of the history of the First Thanksgiving.

Joann's companion column: 
Brave New World: The Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony

Studying Recycling in Nature

Submitted by Peggy on Sun, 2012-11-04 08:48


The study of plants and gardening is a fun, dirty, hands-on way for students to learn conservation, biology, ecology, and responsibility. With the right soil, water, and sunlight, seeds will sprout into plants every time. Students can watch these sprouts grow into plants that are important for human survival. Even unsuccessful class gardening attempts will teach important lessons about what every plant needs to survive and the responsibility required to cultivate plants. During a study of gardening, students are often asked to keep detailed field journals of their activities. These careful observations will allow students to discover how plants effectively recycle and re-use their resources, an important ecology lesson.

Joann's companion column: 
Garden State: Gardening & Landscape Design Resources