by MathPickle | Apr 20, 2024 | Pickle Opinion
I recommend sharing the superb video below to galvanize school communities into stopping cell phones and getting children into a healthier...
by MathPickle | Apr 14, 2017 | Pickle Opinion |
Is there a tendency in our education culture to avoid teaching the core of science? Do science centres cheapen science by making it into entertainment – with all the slow discovery and math removed? Do our schools do a disservice to our children by giving them...
by MathPickle | Nov 14, 2015 | Pickle Opinion, Teaching Technique Discussion |
Molly Crocker contacted me to ask for my opinion on her finger counting ideas 1 to 99. I decided to take the opportunity and review different techniques to teach counting. The questions you should ask in selecting a technique for your classroom: Does the technique...
by MathPickle | Sep 28, 2015 | Pickle Opinion |
Mathematics is usually taught brick on brick – each brick resting solidly on the ones underneath. This sounds good. Brick on brick mathematics education is capable of building an impressive edifice. Look at the power of the average calculus student after a...
by MathPickle | Sep 2, 2015 | Pickle Opinion
I am most impressed with the advice of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival to the volunteers who come to people its tables: Be as unhelpful as possible. Joshua Zucker Director, Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival This is marvellous advice for educators and parents...
by MathPickle | Sep 2, 2015 | Pickle Opinion |
Why do we allow students to work in pencil? Sometimes we do it because we want them to erase their mistakes. If done to excess, this is wrong. Mistakes are there to learn from – not to be erased or scribbled out. They should be artfully identified so...
by MathPickle | Sep 2, 2015 | Pickle Opinion
Speed is essential, but some curricula value it too much. The core of every mathematics classroom should be problem solving. Ponderous problem solvers need to be protected. I am not making the case against memorizing basic facts. Students absolutely need to memorize...
by MathPickle | Aug 10, 2015 | Pickle Opinion
I’m agnostic when it comes to computer games. On the negative side: 1) Too many students already have too much screen time at home – the last thing this subset of students need is to have screen time in school. 2) Quality control is lacking. On the...
