Farewell, Wonderful Brassfield Families!

It feels so strange not to be high fiving kiddos in the hallways of Brassfield. I miss it already.

I am going to transition this blog over and continue updating it with all the latest and greatest in mathematical news, so please stay tuned.

In the meantime, you can always reach me at llpeluso@yahoo.com

I wish you all the best and hope our paths cross again soon!

With great respect,
Mrs PF Chang

Common Core Parent Math Night: The Recap

Dear Brassfield Parents,

Thank you so much for taking the time to attend our Common Core Math Parent Information Night last week. We were so pleased with the wonderful turnout.

Here are some of the key overarching themes of the presentation: 

Our hope is that you walked away from the evening armed with some information that was new to you and a somewhat fresh perspective on the Common Core curriculum (CCC) in mathematics. The CCC was created in response to an undeniable need. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, American educators were certifiably crazy. We had all the empirical data in the world to tell us in no uncertain terms that we were not preparing our students adequately to compete or perform globally in math. Thus the common core math curriculum was born.

It is so vitally important that we ensure that our students are offered a deeply conceptual framework at the outset of instruction, which can then be followed by more efficient means. These simple addition problems that seem to be so time-consuming are but a stepping stone in the direction of the traditional algorithm. We WANT students to get there, we just don't want the algorithm to be the only trick up their sleeves.

We here at Brassfield are in the business of creating flexible thinkers and dynamic problem solvers, not just students who thrive on simple computation.Because we have transitioned into the technological age, many of the mathematical skills that were of great value to our generation are rendered obsolete for our children.

The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively (yep, including in written form) about math is key. We must prepare our students differently. Again, we are focusing on instructing students in such a way that they have a robust understanding of mathematics and problem solving. We are placing a great deal of importance on promoting number sense and encouraging students to innovate and collaborate together.

I received some terrific feedback from parents who stayed after to speak to me after the presentation and I'm hoping to receive even more productive feedback from this e-mail. Here are the messages echoed by several parents:

1. Should we show our kids the way that we were taught or will that "mess them up"?

By all means you should teach your kiddos your strategies. The more tools to which our students are introduced, the more likely it is that "hybridized learning" will take place. The research is clear that this is the most impactful, effective learning there is. Essentially, hybridized learning is when a student is presented with multiple strategies and then that student's brain goes about the important business of picking and choosing what makes most sense to him or her and blending the knowledge in a personal and dynamic way.

2. Is it possible for Brassfield to offer "Common Core Parent School" to introduce us to some of these strategies we have never seen before?

YES! I am going to make it my mission to have these courses available to parents by the start of the 2015-2016 school year. I envision one-hour sessions that are either per grade level, or per grade-level band (K-1, 2-3, 4-5).

Have a splendid day! Thanks again for taking the time to come out last night.

Larissa (Mrs. PF Chang/ Math Lady)

Want even more information? Check out the following links:

How Do They Really Teach Math in Asia?

Three Ways the Common Core Transforms Classroom Instruction

What is Brain Targeted Teaching?

What is Common Core Curriculum?

What is the History of American Education?

I'm getting very excited about this evening's first ever Common Core Math Parent Information Session. We already have 60+ folks who have taken the time to fill out the Socrative survey and I have a sneaking suspicion that more parents will be in attendance this evening. YAY for BRASSY PARENTS!

Just as a reminder, you can take a look back at two of my blog entries from 2014 that deal directly with how to empower yourselves as parents to work with your students on common core-related math activities. Check out the following dates!

- August 22, 2014
- September 9, 2014

I can't wait to see all of your smiling faces this evening!

-Mrs PF xo

Math Music Mashup: PF and Nixon ROCK OUT

Many of you have heard the terrible, depressing news that our own music teacher extraordinaire, Ms. Nixon, is leaving us to teach in China. (I'm trying so hard to be happy for her, but it isn't working thus far).

We share a love of music and a love of teaching, so we decided to join forces prior to her departure and co-teach a lesson for 5th grade students focused on the many, many overlaps between math and music.

Ms. Nixon and I made the obvious connection between whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes to their fractional counterparts and asked students to "PLAY" fractions using a variety of instruments as well as an amazing online resource found HERE. We had a blast combining and adding fractions to produce amazing beats and rhythms. Try it out yourself! (We liked the Taiko best).

Ultimately, we introduced the students to Mr. Robert Schneider, a LITERAL math rock star. Mr. Schneider earned his BS in mathematics in 2012 and is currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics with an emphasis in number theory and theoretical mathematical science. 

What does that have to do with music, you ask?

Since 2006 Schneider, a self-taught student of mathematics, has composed using a Non-Pythagorean scale of his own invention based on logarithms, incorporated prime numbers and the sieve of Eratosthenes in both a composition for bell towers and in the score for a play by mathematician Andrew Granville and playwright Jennifer Granville that debuted at the Institute for Advanced Study on December 12, 2009, has written a plan for an electronic composition based on prime numbers lasting millions of years, and has engaged in a number of other experimental music projects taking inspiration from mathematical concepts.

Now THAT was fun!

Just What You Have All Been Waiting For! Common Core Information Night with Mrs. PF!

I receive e-mails, messages, and tweets pretty regularly regarding the Common Core math curriculum. Folks feel pretty passionate about it and I really love that! How fortunate are our kids that we are involved in advocating for their education?

On Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 6-7 PM I'll be hosting a Common Core Information Night here at Brassfield. We are pleased to announce that childcare will be provided by A.E. Finley YMCA, so you don't even have to get a babysitter. Make it a date night! (How much more romantic can you get than this? I mean, REALLY). 

I am asking that participants let me know that they are coming so that I can be sure to have seating available and enough space to make you all comfortable. I'll be able to gather this information via a quick and easy survey I'd like you to fill out so that I have a little background on your relationship with mathematics and with the Common Core curriculum. Please take a few moments to visit http://www.socrative.com/ and log in as a student to room e0f9bb19. Note that the 0 is a ZERO, not the letter "o."

If more than one member of your household plans to come, please have each individual complete the survey. Thanks!

Waxing Philosophical on a Sunday Morning: Probability of Opportunity

Today's inspiring mathematical thought, brought to you by Dr. Steven Strogatz, Cornell University

"The mathematical theory, 'Littlewood's Law,' said if you break your day into two second chunks, in a month's time you will have experienced about a million of them- or a million opportunities for something wild to happen. Most people think a one-in-a-million chance is unlikely. But this principle suggests that with enough chances, crazy coincidences are likely to occur."

Deep Thoughts... (NOT by Jack Handy)

Those of you who are SNL fans are likely laughing and the rest of you are probably scratching your heads. Don't worry! You are good enough, smart enough, and (Gosh Darn It!) people like you.

Here are my deep [mathematical thoughts] for the day:

1. "The formulation of the problem is often more important than the solution." -Einstein

2. "The world of innovations is all about taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them. Fail early and fail often. There is no innovation without trial and error." -Tony Wagner

Happy Monday, everybody!