Day 162
For one year, 365 days, this blog will address the Common Core Standards from the perspective of creating an alternate, ambient learning environment for math. Ambient is defined as “existing or present on all sides, an all-encompassing atmosphere.” And ambient music is defined as: “Quiet and relaxing with melodies that repeat many times.
Why ambient? A math teaching style that’s whole and all encompassing, with themes that repeat many times through the years, is most likely to be effective and successful. Another fun post today. We’re building a new Math By Hand website, and so much time and effort is devoted there that there’s less energy for anything else. Having fun with the blog is less taxing than writing about the Common Core! And needless to say, it’s more fun.
Today’s offering would be an excellent addition to your math skills practice. Since Waldorf subjects are taught in blocks and there are only 3-4 math blocks per year, it’s essential to have a daily math skills practice time in between blocks. Even practice however, needs to be artfully and joyfully approached. Color and creativity are key!
See the image below: a number acrostic. And here’s how to set it up:
These are odd and even numbered puzzles, but you can come up with other variations as well.
Write a column of 6 sequential numbers on the right, with a vertical line to separate them from the equations.
Reverse the order of numbers on the right. Equals signs separate them from the equations.
Fill in the middle with equations that make the answers work.
All 4 processes need to be used.
Happy students make better math students. Make math practice fun with games, movement, and patterns. Once started, the ideas will flow freely, and you will be rewarded with math lessons that are pleasant to teach and students who l-o-v-e the subject!
Knowledge ensues in an environment dedicated to imaginative, creative knowing, where student and teacher alike surrender to the ensuing of knowledge as a worthy goal. Tune in tomorrow to continue with the Common Core ELA standards and their ambient counterparts.
