Ask the Math Teacher

School Uniforms

2012-01-06T10:33:00.001-07:00

In the past, I'd never been too keen on school uniforms but when I founded the charter school where my children currently attend, I agreed with the other founding members and parents that it was the right choice. My children did their fair share of complaining, of course, but now, a year later, I must admit that I LOVE school uniforms.

To be fair, our school's uniform policy is pretty relaxed compared to other local charter schools. There are specified colors to enforce uniformity and dress pants and collared shirts are required but there are no nit picky restrictions on style details. Some schools around here have weird rules about pleats, pockets, belts, specific collar styles on girl's blouses, only certain styles of jumpers allowed, no mock turtlenecks, no jackets, ties required, dark blazers with logos every Monday, just black socks, dress shoes only, jewelry restrictions for boys, haircuts for boys must leave the ears showing, limited sleeve styles, which days you can wear which styles and colors, etc.

Basically at Quail Run, you just have to show up in the right color of clothes, they have to be clean and mended and you can't wearing anything that draws attention to yourself (like wearing a green mowhawk or red tennis shoes). No jeans and T-shirts, though. It is also nice that we can choose any uniform vendor we want. This means that I can embroider or screen print them myself.

Our mornings are so smooth because there is no fighting over what to wear to school. My second grader just grabs a shirt from the closet and a pair of pants from the drawer. He pretty much chooses navy blue pants, a navy polo shirt and his blue zipper hoodie every day. (We did start the year with a slew of white polos and khaki pants but my second grader does his own laundry and one trip through the dryer with an orange crayon put all of those clothing items out of commission.)

I now officially take back anything negative I may have previously said about school uniforms possibly limiting children's creativity and freedom of expression. As a mom, I absolutely love them and they are worth the trade off. I'm glad I changed my mind. My kids can express themselves on Saturdays.

What blackboard?

2011-09-30T11:35:00.003-07:00

It's required in Utah to conduct vision screenings for all second graders but it's also required to obtain parental permission first. Well, the State approved permission form came home last night loaded with information on how important good vision is to a child's success in school. The message was punctuated by a bolded message right in the middle of the page that read:

"If a student cannot see the blackboard then they cannot learn."

Apart from any qualms I have with teachers who rely on lecturing at the board as their primary mode of instruction, I was struck by the fact that the form fails to recognize that no schools in our district even use blackboards. White boards replaced chalk boards at our local schools twenty-five years ago.

Granted, my logo on this blog pays homage to the old chalk boards that many of us grew up with and most of us will understand the intent of the message but perhaps it's time to acknowledge that in at least in this small respect, education has been modernized.

Good Fortune: Finders Keepers

2009-09-21T12:54:00.002-07:00

My 11 year old son came home from school and announced that he was a lunch worker today. They had orange chicken with fortune cookies. Apparently he believes that he is going to be extremely lucky this week because while cleaning the lunchroom, he had the opportunity to "scoop up lots of fortunes." In his mind it's Finders Keepers when it comes to fortune cookie fortunes.

iGoogle

2009-09-04T09:56:00.001-07:00

This is my first attempt at using iGoogle to link the apps I use most. I am intrigued by how this could be used for educational purposes. As I type, my iGoogle page is also displaying online Scrabble and Chess. I am looking at images from the National Science Foundation. I am learning the Spanish word of the day. I can see the phases of the moon and pinpoint locations with Google Earth... WOW!

The possibilities are endless.

I suppose the potential for trouble is also endless.

Kindergarten

2009-08-25T12:41:00.002-07:00

My son is starting Kindergarten this week. The excitement of this momentous event is only slightly dampened by the bill from the doctor's office for his school entrance physical.

$663

Disclosure Documents

2009-08-19T19:56:00.002-07:00

With a new school year upon us, it's time to read and sign those ridiculous stacks of disclosure documents (all typed in comic sans font.) As a parent, I love the details I find in these lengthy discourses. For example, I learned last night that Alpine School District is continuing to focus on "academic leering."

Run Quail, Run!

2008-08-30T15:10:00.004-07:00

Over the last few months, we have revised QRPS's initial charter school application to more clearly state our school's focus.

MISSION STATEMENT
Quail Run Primary School is an environmentally responsible and multi-sensory learning center that empowers students to be accountable for their own educational journey.

On a light note, I have been having nightmares about red, forty pound quail attacking me. All I can manage to say in the dreams is, "Run Quail, Run!" My husband thinks it's hilarious.

By the way, we just completed our presentation to the Utah State Charter School Board. The final decisions will be made at the end of October 2008. We'll keep you posted!

Famous Dyscalculics!

2008-04-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it helps to know that you are not alone! I am going to check the validity of some of these that I don't know and I'll report.

My Disabilities and Me 1 : Dyscalculia

2008-04-29T10:36:00.001-07:00

I like this video because it lets you see how disabilities affect real people.

Dyscalculia

2008-04-29T10:35:00.001-07:00

Math learning disabilities are frequently overlooked.

Math Education: A response to

2008-04-29T10:31:00.001-07:00

It is a little hard to hear but worth watching. It is a response to a previous You Tube Video that I strongly disagree with.

Metric System Review

2008-04-29T10:16:00.001-07:00

Professor Perez shows us all about the metric system...

Finding Volume: ASL Interpreter

2008-04-29T10:15:00.001-07:00

One of the ideas we are using at our proposed charter school is the integration of ASL with academic subjects. These videos are a great example.

ASL Interpreter Demo Video

2008-04-29T10:13:00.001-07:00

I like the enthusiasm of this teacher!

Quail Run Primary School

2008-04-01T18:08:00.005-07:00

Well, it's done! I submitted my application to open a public charter school here in Utah County. It wasn't very polished (life has gotten the better of me this week- a 5 year old neighbor died, I have the flu, I have a 3 day old migraine, last week was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet and I was in charge...) but it's done.

We'll see what the state charter board thinks of the initial application. If I score high enough we can submit an updated application in June.

Mission Statement

Quail Run Primary School is a “learner centered” educational setting that embraces an inter-disciplinary curriculum and a multi-sensory methodology which in conjunction provide significant engaged learning time, integrate educational technology, include substantial gross motor movements, emphasize real-life connections, motivate learning beyond the classroom, and inspire environmental responsibility.

Philosophy

Curriculum

Students at Quail Run Primary School study Mathematics, English language arts, natural sciences, history and social science, world languages and cultures, healthy lifestyles, fine arts, and study habits through inter-disciplinary lesson plans emphasizing practical application and environmental responsibility. School-wide thematic units encourage cross-curricular connections while after-school enrichment classes give students the opportunity to explore specific subject areas in more depth.

Methodology

Teachers at Quail Run Primary School plan hands-on activities and multi-sensory experiences that allow students to learn through discovery and make connections to real-life situations. Teachers encourage student directed learning via content area reading opportunities and scientific exploration. Students participate in weekly “world classroom” field trips. Project based lesson plans are used when possible and teachers take advantage of current educational technologies. All lessons plans used in Quail Run Primary School classrooms incorporate gross motor activities. Direct instruction is used in limited circumstances but all children are still allowed to wiggle while they learn. Innovative teaching techniques are encouraged if they parallel the philosophy and mission of the school.

Assessment

Teachers at Quail Run Primary School employ alternative assessment methods including oral exams, essays, presentations, electronic portfolios, written tests, quizzes, teacher observations, personal reflection, self assessment, and student interviews. Student progress is reviewed with parents every 9 weeks. Teachers use standards based report cards and students who demonstrate competency of 85% or greater in any given academic subject by the end of the school year receive a cumulative “PASS” grade for that class.

Learning Environment

The Quail Run Primary School building is a safe, beautiful, energy efficient, and stimulus rich facility that utilizes technology for security and instruction. The building and playgrounds exceed national accessibility requirements. The flexible learning spaces are filled with computers and comfortable, ergonomic furniture. Classroom design encourages students to be responsible for their own learning behaviors. Learning materials are stored in easily reached locations, each classroom has its own drinking fountain, and every learning area has a private toilet room. Students choose from a variety of workspaces including individual cubbies, reading nooks, traditional desks, group tables, desk free zones, outdoor rooms, and computer stations. The school grounds and indoor facilities feature interactive playscapes, classical and whimsical exhibits, and student designed artwork.

Quail Run Primary School strives to minimize its negative impact on the world environment through “green school” policies and zero waste procedures such as recycling, appropriate use of technology, composting, responsible paper consumption, and xeriscape gardening.

Technology

Quail Run Primary School uses technology for security, interactive instruction, record keeping, communication, and special education needs. Quail Run Primary School promotes access to technology at home as well as at school by providing laptops to older students, by integrating technology throughout its school-wide lesson plans, by utilizing traditional computer labs for after school access, and by dedicating a large portion of the yearly budget to technology services.

Student Body

Quail Run Primary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through eight. Full day, self contained kindergarten classes are held for children who are at least five years old on or before September 1^st of the year of enrollment. Students in grades one through eight participate a variety of learning groups that may include students of diverse cultures, genders, ages, native languages, energy levels, academic abilities, and learning styles. A self contained, tuition based Pre-school for children age three to five is also available.

Family Involvement

Because family involvement is an integral component of the Quail Run Primary School philosophy, no separate parent organization exists. Families are presented with a variety of long term or short term volunteer opportunities. Parents and guardians may volunteer in their students’ classrooms each week or they may donate their time and expertise for special events. Families serve on school steering committees that make recommendations to the School Board of Trustees to enrich the educational experience of all students attending Quail Run Primary School. Parents of students also serve on the School Board of Trustees. Quail Run Primary School encourages family involvement throughout the year with events such as our back-to-school picnic, the spring gala, the fall fair, and parent education classes.

Faculty

Teachers at Quail Run Primary School are selected for their expertise in specialty subject areas and their willingness to seek additional professional development opportunities. Every teacher is licensed by the state of Utah and holds appropriate endorsements for the subject(s) they teach. All teachers are trained to identify and assist students with disabilities. In addition, all teachers work toward a gifted/talented endorsement beginning their first year of teaching. In the classroom, faculty members team teach in a school mentoring program. Teachers serve on school steering committees to evaluate new technologies and innovative teaching techniques. They work collaboratively to refine school-wide lesson plans, share educational strategies, and adapt school-wide discipline policies.

To meet the needs of all students, the faculty at Quail Run Primary School includes a special services team that, as needed, includes such educational professionals as a school psychologist, a guidance counselor, special education teachers, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, an ASL interpreter, a speech and language pathologist, ESL specialists, and a school nurse.

Administrative Site Team

Quail Run Primary School has an administrative site team that reports directly to the Charter School Board. Each member of the site team focuses on one or two related aspects of school management and may include such positions as School Director, Director of Student and Family Services, Assistant Director, Faculty Mentor Coordinator, Business Manager, Finance Director, Curriculum Director, Director of Operations, Special Education Coordinator, and Technology Director.

Jelly Bean Math

2008-03-31T09:20:00.003-07:00

The favorite candy of the 40th President of the United State of America, Ronald Reagan, was jelly beans! He kept a glass jar of jelly beans on his desk to serve to guests and staff.

Ronald Reagan ate one jelly bean on January 20, 1981 (his first day in office) and each day after that, he ate double the number of jelly beans he had eaten the day before, how many jelly beans would he have eaten by the end of the month?
How many jelly beans would he have eaten after one month in office?
What would the monthly cost of these jelly beans be?
What was Ronald Reagan’s favorite flavor of jelly bean?
How many popcorn jelly beans would Ronald Regan be likely to have eaten by day 22?
Write an algebraic expression for the number of jelly beans Ronald Reagan would have eaten by his nth day in office.

Fit of Anger

2008-01-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

OK-- So I lost my temper. I even swore in front of my own daughter. I was mad. I probably could have dealt with the inconvenience caused by the school, but when I called the district to complain, I spoke with a woman who was quite rude. I am sure that she was sick of parent phone calls by then but THAT IS WHAT SHE GETS PAID TO DO!! Well, I wrote an email- not my best work. We'll see what good it does.
--------------
Dear Superintendent Henshaw and others,

I am writing to tell you of my disappointment and anger at the way the busing failure was handled today. It took me an hour to get my daughter home from American Fork Junior High School. (It is only a 6 minute drive at 25 mph.) Snow was NOT the trouble. The school was the trouble.

No one from the school contacted us. My daughter was not allowed to use the school phone because there were too many students trying to call home. When I spoke with the personnel at the district office, they assured me that parents were notified by the automated calling system. We have updated home, business and cell phone numbers on record with the school and did not receive a call of any of these numbers. We have current emails on file with the school. We have caller ID and answering machines on all phones. I am frustrated that the district would lie to me. We did not receive any communication from the school. My daughter called me on her cell phone. We bought her a cell phone for real emergencies and fake "emergencies" like this one, even though the district, school and the PTA have fought us all year, trying to ban them from the school.
The school and the district assured us that they had no choice in the matter. The Utah Highway Patrol supposedly forbid the schools to release any children in the district. However, my 4th grade son walked home in the snow all by himself. I also passed two school zones with children walking home and heard numerous other parents at the jr high complaining that their younger children walked home. Some teachers at the junior high school let students simply leave class, though most did not. (I am also not sure how the Highway Patrol has any authority over the public schools' policies and procedures.)
American Fork Jr. High was distressingly unprepared to handle this mini-crisis. I shudder to think what could have happed if this had been a true emergency. Their should have been a plan in place for the parents of 2,000+ students to converge and pick up their children at the same time. Traffic was at a standstill from the school, all the way down 100 East and both directions of 300 North leading to 100 East. I am sure that other school routes were congested as well. Inside the school, there were parents, students, and staff everywhere. The intercom was constantly calling off names of students to come down and get picked up. No one was checking IDs or signatures so it wouldn't have mattered who picked up students. The emergency contact info on our student information sheets was worthless. Your current procedures give the surface appearance on paper of being in control but they offer no real protection to students.
The students were not properly informed of what was happening. I misunderstood and thought that just my daughter's bus route was canceled. (She does have a incompetent bus driver. During the last snowstorm, the bus driver couldn't make it up any of the hills and on one particularly stressful area of snow and ice began screaming "We're all going to die!" My daughter is fairly reliable and had no reason to make that up.) If I had known that all students (including walking students) were going to be held at the school, I would have taken a different route to the school, left my baby at home or arranged for my emergency contact to pick her up.

A few suggestions to get you started:

Apologize to all of the students and parents in the school district for your mishandling of this situation. Quit trying to justify your actions by saying that you did the best you could. Simply admit your mistakes.
Require each school to develop and practice a USEABLE plan for situations like this in the future. Make sure that parents are aware of the DETAILS of the procedures. A brief statement of policies in the handbook is not enough. A workable plan is necessary.
Use technology like cell phones, electronic bulletin boards, websites, and automated calling systems to facilitate communication.

I am a teacher and I want to give public education the benefit of the doubt whenever possible but my confidence in the public school system has been faltering and this event has made it clear to me that Alpine School District does not deserve my support anymore. I have been biting my tongue for the past 7 years but will no longer do so. You can expect me to contact you again in the future with additional concerns.

Math Riddle of the Day

2006-11-26T11:54:00.002-07:00

If www.matcheez.com offers T-shirts from their Family Tee Collection in just 30 different colors, how many different combinations of shirts could we purchase for our family IF we have 5 family members? (Remember that order matters since each family member wears a different size.)

HINT
If you can't remember how to do combinations and permutations, try experimenting with just 5 colors and 3 family members then look for the pattern.

Here is an example to get you started:
If the shirt colors are red, blue, yellow, green, orange then Mom can wear 5 different colors of shirts for every shirt that dad can wear. This means that there are 25 different shirt combinations. What happens if we add in a baby who can also wear 5 different colors of shirts for each combination that Mom and Dad can wear?

Baby Sign Language

2006-07-31T09:25:00.001-07:00

One of the hottest trends in child development is teaching your baby Sign Language. The popularity is new but the concept is not. My dad taught me to fingerspell and to count in ASL before I went to Kindergarten. Although he has been partially deaf in both ears since he was a teenager, his hearing loss is generally unnoticed by those around him. I do remember attending church services for the Deaf. My dad wanted to expose us to Deaf culture and give us opportunities to practice using American Sign Language. When I later became a teacher, I frequently used fingerspelling to help beginning readers who were struggling with their letters and older readers who were struggling with spelling. I found that the kinesthetic experience of using Sign Language improved their memory and the hand signs for each letter gave them a visual connection between the "alphabet song" and the printed letters on a page.

When my oldest child was a baby, I read a wonderful article in the Spring 1995 issue of Mothering Magazine about using Sign Language to communicate with your baby. I was inspired and taught my daughter a few basic signs including "more," "milk," and "mom." She first used signs at 7 months old and began forming simple sentences at 12 months. This was helpful because although she jabbered constantly, none of the words made sense. Sign Language helped alleviate much of the frustration we might have otherwise experienced during this stage of child development.

When my second child was born, I was given a book called Signing is Fun by Mickey Flodin. It is a pocket size paperback book with great drawings. I had forgotten many of the signs I learned as a child and this little book served as a nice reference that I carried in my purse.

More recently, at a family reunion, my cousin's 18 month old daughter was demonstrating the various American Sign Language signs that she had learned. I was impressed that she knew over a hundred signs rather than the 15 or so that I had taught my children as toddlers. She had learned sign language from watching a program called Signing Time. I decided to purchase a set of Signing Time DVDs for my 1 year old son as a Christmas gift. We love the songs and the simple animation is cute. The Signing Time DVDs are wonderful because they include an explanation and demonstration of each sign followed by children, toddlers and even babies demonstrating the sign. My son loved to watch the other children sign and began imitating them immediately after watching the first program.

Learning new signs is easy. I sit my baby on my lap and we watch the Signing Time DVDs together. We listen to the CD in the car and practice the signs while we drive and sing. My older children enjoy learning the signs along with the baby. The Signing Time web site offers games to improve signing skills along with resources for parents and caregivers. Our family's signing abilities are improving as we use signs to communicate with each other daily. I can quietly talk to my children in church without disturbing others. I even use Sign Language to talk to my husband across the grocery store. My oldest child once used fingerspelling to send me messages while she was in the dentist chair and unable to speak.

My youngest is growing quickly. As his oral speech becomes clearer, he has begun to express a desire to learn more signs. He sometimes invents his own signs for words he does not know. This gives us an excellent opportunity to look up the actual signs. We use a terrific online dictionary provided by the Michigan State University Communication Technology Laboratory.

Unfortunately, I have had well intentioned family members forcefully voice their concern that my children's abilities to communicate in English would be hampered by using sign language. I have never known quite how to gently explain to these individuals that quite the opposite is true. Our family's experience with Sign Language has been overwhelmingly positive. Scientific
research shows that children who use Sign Language have earlier language development than their peers. Teaching American Sign Language has never been shown to hinder speech or vocalization. Children who use signs have larger vocabularies and higher IQs. They also have fewer tantrums (presumably because they can ask for what they need and want.)

Try using a few signs with your own children or grandchildren. The time it takes is minimal and the benefits are outstanding. You might find, as we did, that your toddler is trying talk to you but you simply aren't understanding the words he is using. Signing gives young children a "voice" with which to communicate their feelings and needs. Once you experience the fun of teaching your Baby Sign Language, the practicality of signing with your children and the joy of communicating with your toddler in a language you can both understand, you too will want to share the magic of Baby Sign Language with other parents.

Educational Shows Worth Watching

2005-05-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Not all "educational" shows are worth the airtime that they occupy. Here are a few of my favorite math shows:

Cyberchase
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/
This PBS show does name Hacker as the "bad guy" but aside from that, it is an excellent show. National math standards are addressed. Concepts are clearly presented. Ideas build from the simple to the complex. Real-life connections are included at the end of each episode. Besides it's a cartoon and it's FUN!

Math Monsters
http://www.mathmonsters.com/
This is my favorite educational show. It is a cartoon series produced with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This is reflected in its goals, teaching methods and concept presentation. My children love to watch it over and over. Appropriate for ages 3-9.

Mathematics is Elementary
http://www.ait.net/products/mathematics/
A good series for home-school students as a supplementation for a basic program.

The Number Crew
http://www.thenumbercrew.us/
This series is a claymation show for very young children and focuses on basic number concepts.

Ms. Math
http://www.cptv.org/msmathhome.html
This series is intended for parents and teachers who wish to help their children understand the beuaty of mathematics. On demand video is available.

Check your local public TV station to see times and airdates.

Product Review-School House Rock

2005-04-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today's product recommendation is School House Rock.

My own parents never let us watch Saturday morning cartoons so I missed these neat, educational featurettes. My own children love this DVD. It is a compilation that includes Grammar Rock, Money Rock, Science Rock, Multiplication Rock and America Rock. Disney has also included several "bonuses"- long lost songs/never before released songs/songs newly written for this special edition/etc.

Two of the volumes on this DVD hold importance for teaching math: Multiplication Rock and Money Rock. My son knew his mutiplication facts for twos, threes, fives and tens by the time he was 4 years old. We didn't use flash cards. We didn't take timed tests. He just watched the Multiplication Rock section on our School House Rock DVD. We would sing the songs in the car and at the breakfast table. The simple words and catchy rhythms helped him memorize his "times tables." Money Rock is loads of fun. The songs help children understand the basics of money. My personal favorite is Tyrannosaurus Debt.

In order to ensure that your child gets the full benefit of this DVD, I suggest the following:

Watch the songs with your children. Learn which are their favorites.
Sing the songs during the day. All of the lyrics are available online, if you want to print out a hard copy to carry with you.
Help your children make the connection between what they have heard and what they are doing at school. If a teacher sends home flash cards for the "3 times tables," remind your child about the song. Lay out the flash cards in order. Then help them sing, "Three is a magic number. Yes, it is, it's a magic number..." Chant "3-6-9, 12-15-18..." and point to the corresponding flash cards.
Watch the DVD frequently. The advantage that a DVD format has over the old VHS format is that you can easily select individual songs to view. These mini movie segments were originally intended to be viewed during commercial breaks. Let your children watch one or two when there are just a few minutes until school, dinner or bed time.
If you prefer, purchase just the CD and let your children listen to it in the car, in bed and during meals.

At some point, nearly every child will be required by their elementary school teacher to prove that they have memorized their multiplication facts. This DVD and CD collection can give your children a jump start.

Cold Hard Cash- Lesson 1

2005-01-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

To understand money, children must handle money. I don't mean the little brown and gray, plastic discs used in elementary math classrooms. I guarantee that the gas company is not impressed when you try to pay your bill with mimeographed sheets containing drawings of one dollar and five dollar bills. Children must handle money and I mean cold hard cash.

Money is a concrete example of mathematics in action. It encompasses the metric system, addition, subtraction, decimals, fractions, percents, counting, multiplication, division, story problems, interest, exponential growth, negative numbers, accounting systems and regrouping (to name a few.) It is a common joke that a math professor at the local university can perform complicated computations and prove complex theorems but cannot balance his own checkbook. This is absurd. We teach our children mathematics so that their lives may be enriched. We want them to be successful adults. Learning how mathematics connects with daily life is crucial to this goal.

Teachers who teach at inner city schools tell me that their students do well with money. This may be attributed to the fact that a large percentage of their parents cash their paychecks and then purchase household goods with the cash. Many of them do not have checking accounts. Few have credit cards. Seeing cash and using it for purchases gives money a tangibility that desk work cannot.

Teaching money is best done by parents at home. Good teachers might use worksheets with story problems about money. They might have students work in centers counting money. Some teachers may drill students on coin names and values. Teachers may even attempt to mimic real life by creating classroom stores or by using reward systems that include a classroom monetary currency. However, despite their best efforts, teachers do not prepare students to deal with a real life economic system. Parents must take this responsibility. To supplement the traditional teaching methods of most public schools, parents can use a variety of techniques to aid their children in learning about money.

I recommend that every child over age 2 be given an allowance. The dollar amount of the allowance is unimportant. The child must receive this money frequently and must be paid in cash. IOU's, deposits to a savings account or payments made with "fake" money defeat the purpose of this exercise and MUST BE AVOIDED! Many Americans have deeply rooted issues with money and find it hard to simply give their children money. An allowance is NOT earned through doing household jobs. That would be a wage. An allowance is NOT earned through good behavior. That would be a reward. An allowance is simply an allotted amount of money GIVEN to the child. Having children earn their own money is not a bad idea. However, it rarely provides children with enough opportunities to practice using money. If your own financial situation severely limits the amount of money you can give your child, try this technique.

Many parents claim that they cannot afford to give an allowance and yet they purchase items for their children such as shampoo, clothing, lunch tickets, toothbrushes or pencils. Explain to your child that the purpose of this allowance is to teach them about money. Instead of purchasing all of your child's household needs, allow them to have money equal to what you would have spent on toothpaste, notebooks, crayons, etc. Follow the steps below every time you give money to your child. Some steps can be adapted or expanded to fit the age of the child.

AT HOME:

Help them to write a budget and a shopping list so that they can see where the money must be spent.
As you give the money to the child, have them count it out loud (with your help, if necessary.)
Have your child sort the money they receive by type of coin.
Help them arrange money into piles equivalent to a one dollar bill. Show them that money can be combined in many ways.
Remind the child that money is important and must be kept safe. Brainstorm appropriate ways to store and carry money.

AT THE STORE:

Take your child to the store. Older children may carry small amounts of money at the store. Parents should watch carefully since children will set their money on the ground when distracted by an item at the store. (Even many adults leave their purses sitting unattended in shopping carts while they browse the merchandise.)
Help children locate the price tags of the items they need to purchase. Let them read the numbers. Show them how to compare prices.
If you have a pocket calculator- bring it. A child can total up the cost of their items as they shop so that there will be no surprises at checkout. A child will begin to see that we make choices at the store based both on what we want to purchase and on the price of the item.
Point out each step the checker takes in figuring the prices. A self checkout lane can be fun for children to practice locating the barcode and scanning it themselves. Show your child how to double check the price of the item on the screen.
The checkout provides a wonderful opportunity to talk about sales tax. Sales tax is a percentage and older children can figure the tax before the checker gives them the total.
Let your child count out the cash as they pay the cashier. This may take a little extra time. Don't shortcut the process simply because someone behind you is in a hurry. You are teaching your child an important life skill.
Discuss what happens if you cannot give the cashier the exact amount and must receive change.
Remind your child to take their receipt. Explain to your child how to read a sales receipt. Discuss which receipts must be saved and which may be thrown away.

These techniques take extra time but can quickly become routine for you and your child. Remember that you are teaching your child an important life skill. It is better that your child should make small mistakes when you can help them than for them to make bigger financial errors when they are on their own and have no safety net.

Thought for the Day

2005-01-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

"Now I feel as if I should succeed in doing something in mathematics, although I cannot see why it is so very important... The knowledge doesn't make life any sweeter or happier, does it?"

-Helen Keller, 1880-1968 [The Story of My Life, 1903]

Thought for the Day

2004-12-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

"There is a great danger in the present day lest science-teaching [and mathematics education] should degenerate into the accumulation of disconnected facts and unexplained formulae, which burden the memory without cultivating the understanding."

--J. D. Everett [In the preface to his 1873 English translation of Elementary Treatise on Natural Philosophy by A Privat Deschanel. (D. Appleton and Co.)]

Pop Quiz: Petals Around the Rose

2004-12-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Chicky for this fun logic game called "Petals Around the Rose."

http://crux.baker.edu/cdavis09/roses.html

The computer will generate a random roll for 5 dice. See if you can figure out how many petals there are around the rose for that particular roll. Enter your answer and check with the computer. You may repeat the simulation as many times as you wish.

What is the logic behind the question? Can you accurately answer how many petals are around the rose in any given roll?

If this was too easy for you, answer the following questions:

What is the greatest number of petals around the rose for this game.
Which dice will be displayed when there are 11 petals around the rose?
Can the game be played with only 2 dice? If so, what is the greatest number of petals around the rose.
Can the game be played with 6 dice? If so, what is the greatest number of petals around the rose.