Marilyn Burns to the Rescue (partially, at least)

If you aren't familiar with Marilyn Burns, let me make a comparison for you.

Marilyn Burns is to mathematics what the Rolling Stones are to music.

In other words, she is a TOTAL MATH ROCK STAR who happens to have been living on our earth longer than most and has the wisdom, gray hair, and wrinkles to prove it.

I came across an article she wrote entitled Nine Ways to Catch Kids Up and, though it does not offer us the magic bullet we all so deeply desire, it gives us a great starting off point.

Take a gander and let me know what you think in comments.

In the mean time, ROCK ON.

:) PF

Walking a Mile in a Student's Shoes

I came across an article recently that simultaneously depressed and encouraged me.

A veteran high school teacher transitioned into a coach (like me) and spent her first two days on the job shadowing two students: one in 10th grade and the other in 12th.

I've attached the article in case you'd like to read it (see below) but here were the 3 key takeaways:

1. Students sit all day, and sitting is exhausting.

2. High school students are sitting passively and listening for approximately 90% of class.

3. Students feel a little bit like a nuisance all day long.

Depressing: for the most part, this was my personal high school experience.

Encouraging: this is NOT AT ALL what I observe as the math coach/ math specialist at Brassfield.

Take a look at the article in its entirety and then talk to your own kids about their experiences as Brassfield Bears. Let me know what they have to say in comments.


http://grantwiggins.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/a-veteran-teacher-turned-coach-shadows-2-students-for-2-days-a-sobering-lesson-learned/

McDonald's Math! (You're welcome!)

Next week, McDonald's kicks off their annual Monopoly incentive.

As a bit of a food snob, I certainly don't advocate for the consumption of fast food. I'd much rather see you eating organic, nutrient dense, whole foods from the local farmer's market, but that is neither here nor there.

If your kids are anything like the three of mine, you find your car in the McD's drive through on the way to baseball or swim practice more often than you'd care to admit.

Have you ever wondered how likely it is that you'll peel off a Monopoly tab and win a prize? Sure you have!

Here it is, Brassfield Brainiacs: a breakdown of all the mathematics and probability related to McDonald's Monopoly. You're welcome.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/math-behind-mcdonalds-monopoly-sweepstakes-205700562.html

Common Core Course for Parents

I came across this article and thought I would share it.

What do you think about the idea presented here? Would you welcome a similar course at Brassfield?

Let me know in comments.

http://www.kmvt.com/news/latest/Math-Class-to-Teach-Parents-New-Common-Core-277651431.html

Follow me on Twitter!

If you would like, you may follow me on Twitter. My handle is @llpeluso. I can't promise that you won't see a picture or two of my three awesome kids, but it's mostly all about mathematics education here at Brassfield. Have a super day!

Let's Be Nimble, Let's Be Quick: Student-Centered Learning

I read the white papers on a Dreambox Learning product today and loved so much of what they had to say. I decided it might be a good idea to paraphrase, since the document was some thirty-eight pages in length.

The part that resonated most with me most focused on student-centered learning. I have spent the past ten years of my teaching career trying to get away from the "Sage on the Stage" approach in which students "sit and get" in favor of the "Guide on the Side" method that gives the power to the people (the little people, in the case of an elementary school setting).

The Dreambox team put together a nice, succinct table comparing teacher-centered to student-centered activities, which I have share below. They also said:

These skills, enhanced with high-quality, relevant, domain-specific 

digital content-form a solid learning foundation to help today's students 

                      become nimble, adaptive thinkers and doers who thrive in a complex                          future.

Brassfield Parents: You Are AMAZING!

How do I love thee, Brassfield parents? Let me count the ways...

I could write a whole book about how amazing our community of parents is here at Brassfield, but instead I'll just tell you that I received an e-mail today from a parent who had read an article in USA Today that spoke to her and she took the time to share it with me. I am "paying it forward" by sharing it here with you.

CC Math is not Fuzzy

With a whole 'lotta mathematical love,

Mrs. PF