I talk and think a lot about our art. As a scientist I also think and write a lot about data and research. I know some people think these are mutually exclusive but, in my opinion, anyone that says that doesn’t really have a good grasp of either. Last Formative Friday, the Team Test I […]
Google’s Project Aristotle Building a Better Team “Working in a team is cheating!” “I don’t like working with other people because I do all of the work!” “I want to be on a team with all of the smartest people!” Over the years I have heard it all when it comes to students’ mindsets about
Mindset Monday 21st Century Job Skills Kids have learned the power of why. Clean your room. Why? Eat your vegetables. Why? Learn Math. Why? Over the years I have heard (and said) multiple answers to this question: So you can be a Scientist/get a good job/graduate/earn more money etc etc. Unfortunately, for the vast majority
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Abstract California’s economically disadvantaged students of color deserve to have a high-quality mathematics education. Historically, over 80% of these students leave high school below standard in math which denies them access to the economic and social benefits of being able to do high powered math and denies California the workforce it needs. This action research
Wildcard Wednesdays are the third, unique antiracist intervention. Because 98% of the students of color from the target school are economically challenged the school has had little success using homework as a learning tool. Interviews with teachers have revealed that less than ten percent of students at the target school do homework with fidelity on
Formative Friday finishes off the week of antiracist interventions. Students take a formative assessment, as a team one week and as individuals the next week. Both assessments use a unique three read graphic organizer that helps students focus as much on the process of solving problems as much as getting the right answer. Each assessment
During distance learning Astra school created a series of one to two minute Conundrum videos that describe a scenario and presents different choices that could be made as a result. There is no correct answer, just a variety of options. Students are then asked to make a choice and explain their reasoning in writing. Once
Thoughtful Thursdays currently consist of two activities: “What makes it Unique?” and “Conundrums”. Both of these activities are designed to help students stimulate and grow the problem solving parts of their brains, make connections, recognize patterns and explain their reasoning. Doing Math without algebra or arithmetic. Either of these activities take place at the beginning
Team Building Tuesday Introduction Team Building Tuesday basically consists of an activity that takes place during the first 5 to 10 minutes of class every Tuesday. Every activity is designed to help students get excited about doing math, growing their brains and solving problems in creative, collaborative ways that also helps them to build their
