Sunday, October 27, 2013

Monday Math Mush



I would say that this is a longer video than I typically like to choose for a mush or flush, but I totally think this is worth it.  We are focusing big time on our math, and we are continuing to focus on how to motivate/teach boys.  We talk often of how to start with the big picture and work to the specific which is how boys typically organize information.

These are two male high school teachers doing at TEDTalk.  It is basically a forum for the sharing of ideas.  There are 100’s of TEDtalks, but this one caught my attention.  These two guys do a great job of showing how important “schema” is in math.  We talk of schema all the time in ELA, but not as much in math.   This idea of schema is how these two teachers work to create critical thinkers. 

They continue to discuss how this method empowers the students to teach themselves because they have a confidence and skills.  They spoke to their improvement on test scores based on the implementation of these ideas.

They put the ideals on putting the power of learning into the students hands, and it seems to be successful.  I like their presentation because it is real.  They aren’t professional speakers or thinkers…they are teachers with a new way to present information. 

I hope you think about how this concept could help your classroom.  I don’t want you to bite off so much that you don’t think you can implement it.  Find practical ways or lessons that you can start with the concept.  Think of something you have taught before…you KNOW how is usually goes….Now try this concept….compare the two.  I think it will be eye opening what we see. 

We all need maps and schema….we need to find ways to put them into our teaching in real and meaningful ways. 

Thanks for watching the longer video and spending time thinking about how schema can better the lives of students by empowering their own learning.

Happy Monday!

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