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!

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/