HyperHomeschool Blog

Carpe Diem! Problem Solving on a Morning Bike Ride

2010-07-21T13:36:12Z

This weekend, I took our 6 year old for a bike ride around SELU’s campus. Along the way, something interesting began to happen: a spontaneous, math discussion. Let me explain! As we were running/riding, we each pretended to do “tricks” as if we were part of the latest Mario Wii game. 60 points if mom “jumps” the curb! 50 points if Ellie “pops” her front wheel! You get the idea. Then, the conversation shifted from video gaming fun to a lesson in critical thinking and problem solving. Check out our dialogue.

Mom: How many points would you score if you “popped” your wheel twice?
Ellie: 100 points.
Mom: Great! How did you know that?
Ellie: Well, two 50’s make 100.
Mom: Great! Can you make an addition sentence out of this?
Ellie: 50 + 50 = 100.
Mom: Fantastic! can you tell me the corresponding multiplication sentence?
Ellie: Easy! 50 x 2 = 100.
Mom: Super cool! Way to go! What if you “popped” your wheel 4 times? How many points would you score?
Ellie: Let me think. Well, 50 + 50 = 100 and another 50 + 50 = 100 and two 100”s are 200. So, I would score 200 points. Right?
Mom: Wow! Great thinking! So, 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 = 200. What would be the matching multiplication sentence?
Ellie: Easy! 50 x 4.
Mom: Now, for the bonus round! What if you want to score 400 points? How many times would you have to “pop” your wheel?
Ellie: Let me see... I would just double the number of times because 200 and 200 make 400. So, I would need to “pop” 8 times.
Mom: Wow! I am so proud off you! Great thinking! You’re awesome! What would be the multiplication sentence?
Ellie: 50 x 8 = 400.

We rode on for a few minutes. Along the way, I have to admit, I was beaming with delight! She actually got it! She clearly understands the relationship between addition and multiplication and was able to apply that knowledge to find solutions. Yea! My enthusiastic thoughts were then interrupted by Ellie.

Ellie: Mom, let’s do more math. That was really fun! Now, I am going to do this trick for 25 points. (She was standing up while riding her bike. So, we called this cool move the “stand!”)
Mom: Okay, great! Cool move! How many “stands” would you have to do to reach 100 points?
Ellie: Well, each “stand” is 25 points. That’s like a quarter, right? So, it takes 4 quarters to make a dollar. So, I would need to do 4 “stands.”
Mom: Totally correct! Now, what if you wanted to earn 200 points?
Ellie: Well, 200 is just 100 doubled. So, I would double the 4 and get 8. I would have to do 8 “stands.”
Mom: Super thinking! Are you ready for the bonus round?
Ellie: Yes!
Mom: What if you wanted to score 150 points? How many “stands” would you have to perform?
Ellie: Let me think...this one is harder. I think I would need 7 “stands.” No, that’s not right. I know it has to be less than 8.
Mom: True, but how do you know that?
Ellie: Because 150 is between 100 and 200. So, I have to do between 4 and 8 “stands.”
Mom: Great! Let’s think about it this way. You said it takes 4 “stands” to make 100 and you need to get to 150. So, how many more points do you need to add to 100 to make it to your goal of 15o points?
Ellie: Hmm...I need 50 more points.
Mom: Great! So how many “stands” do you need to do to score 50 points?
Ellie: Oh, I get it. I need to do 2 stands to make 50 points because they are each 25 points. Right?
Mom: Now, you’re getting it! So, how many “stands” do you need to perform to score 150 points?
Ellie: Let’s see. I need 4 to get 100 points and 2 more to get 50 points. So, that gives me 4 + 2, which is 6. I need to do 6 “stands.” Wow! That one was the hardest.
Mom: Yes, but great thinking!

At this point, she asked me what grade she would be in to do problems like that. I told her probably third grade. Of course, this made her smile because we are “officially” homeschooling second grade this fall. I told her it doesn’t really matter, though. The important thing was to focus on what she was understanding in math and that I was super proud! We rode on for a few more minutes in silence. Then, Ellie told me this had been so much fun. She said she loved bike riding with me, but also loved doing math.

As a mom and educator, this really made me smile! She LOVED doing math! Did you catch that? There is a great deal of conversation buzzing around about the need for schools to meet the ever-changing demands of today’s students. One of the most essential, I feel, is to help students develop their critical thinking skills. I love that I was afforded the opportunity to have a spontaneous, meaningful math lesson with our daughter. Unfortunately, these moments don’t come along too often or do they? As parents and teachers, we need to seize every opportunity to promote critical thinking among children. Carpe Diem! Sometimes these “moments” are designed and planned in formal learning situations. Other times, they may simply arise when taking your child for a bike ride, on field trips or waiting with students for their bus to come. Regardless, we should tap into the power of their imagination (and ours), establish meaningful dialogue, and create learning opportunities wherever they may arise.

Growing Number Sense with MathGirl Number Garden

2010-07-15T22:01:10Z

The team at Icanology has done it again! After great success with their engaging math app, Arithmaroo, Lynn and Molly Rasmussen are launching a new app aimed directly at girls. On July 16, MathGirl Number Garden will be released on iTunes. In addition, there will be a Lite version available for free showcasing the first 4 of 12 levels.

The format is similar to Arithmaroo in that it takes a right-brain approach to developing number sense. The game consists of moving through 12 progressively harder levels. The early levels of the game are geared towards preschool and kindergarten but can challenge even adults at the higher levels. Along the way, girls will have the chance to earn stars that can be exchanged for exciting rewards like virtual bunnies, rainbows, flowers and many other objects. These can be used to add personal flair to individual gardens!

Also like Arithmaroo, this app takes an organic approach to learning mathematical concepts. Colorful, everyday objects are used to represent numerical values creating visual interest for young learners. As children interact with the game (Yes, I said game!), they are easily able to make connections between numerical symbols and the values they represent. This provides a firm foundation upon which future concepts can grow. Before your eyes, you will begin to see the concepts of addition and multiplication take root. More importantly, with each success, the "I can't do math" attitude transforms into an "I can" as confidence blooms in young learners.

As a homeschooling mom of four, as well as, math educator, I can feel good about letting our children explore this new app. MathGirl Number Garden provides a fun, educational alternative to the usual video gaming options. This app is the perfect illustration of meaningful technology integration into the learning process. So, go ahead, let the kids borrow your iPod. Then, sit back and watch as they begin to cultivate a love of learning and grow in their knowledge of math. By the way, they might have a little bit of fun!

Make a Splash With Whales and Dolphins!

2010-07-09T14:55:21Z

As part of the 2010 Louisiana Summer Library Program, I was asked to organize a program about whales and dolphins. What a fun opportunity! With this program, it is my hope to spark an interest in these magnificent mammals so that children and teens will rush to their local libraries and R*E*A*D!

As an educator, I love to find exciting ways to integrate technology into the learning process. For this program, I incorporated a variety of multimedia resources, such as Google Docs, Wordle, Create-a-Graph, online videos, and virtual field trips. There are also hands-on activities in which students explore the role of blubber using model magic and dive into photo identification in a simple (or maybe not!) matching game. I have included the presentation and activities used in my program, as well as, a suggested reading list. Hopefully, this multisensory approach will excite students and motivate learning.

Suggested Reading List

***Coming Soon***

Slideshow Presentation Using Google Docs

(To view directly, click here.)

Program Activities:

Be Inspired by Winter's Tail

Meet Winter and explore her home at the Clearwater Aquarium in Tampa, FL
Go on a virtual field trip and meet Winter up close and personal
Explore the amazing eduational resources on Scholastic to get the most from your field trip
All Winter! All the time! Check out her webcam!(Warning: Be patient while loading!)

The Quest For the Perfect Science Curriculum: Part 2

2010-06-24T18:22:43Z

After much research and contemplation, I have decided to use the R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Earth & Space Science (Level 10 for our second and third graders this next school year. I have been so pleased with their hands-on, authentic approach that I simply cannot deviate from their materials this year.

For the first time in our homeschooling, I am choosing a different science curriculum for our oldest daughter. She is technically going into 5th grade, but I am looking to challenge her more this next school year. So, I have decided to use the Middle School Earth Science program by CPO. It is a challenging program integrating science, math, writing and technology. There is a student text, an investigations manual and a plethora of resources available online. For example, there are graphic organizers, simulations, slideshows, student record sheets, and teaching illustrations to accompany the majority of the text.

In addition, the first two chapters are devoted to interpreting graphs, developing models and understadning the nature of science. Various reseach questions are suggested providing further exploration of significant people and ideas. Each section includes vocabulary and basic recall questions, but also includes challenge questions to promote higher order thinking skills. Journaling is integrated throughout the entire course providing opportunities for even further contemplation and dissection of topics and ideas discussed. Finally, each chapter concludes with a project. Making a plate tectonics book and creating a sea-floor spreading model are two examples.

One of the final selling points occurred as I was showing our daughter one of the online simulations regarding rock displacement. She quickly made the connection to her last Singapore math chapter in which she had to determine volume in similar situations. As a mom and a math teacher, this was exciting! As I delved deeper, I found many chapters move beyond the basic regurgitation of facts and provide a solid connection to math and other branches of science. Yea!!

I am eager to begin preparations for next year and look forward to watching our children interact and make connections. I feel both Science Odyssey and CPO will provide an investigative, hands-on approach to learning while meeting our criteria of promoting critical thinking skills.

The Quest For the Perfect Science Curriculum

2010-06-05T20:33:18Z

As one school year comes to a close, I have turned my attention towards the next. My first priority is to decide which science program to implement for our study of earth science and astronomy. As many homeschooling families are aware there is a shortage of quality science programs. My goal is to find a program that is hands-on, scientifically accurate, promotes critical thinking, and fuels a passion for learning. Not too much to ask, right?

For the past two years, we have been pleased with R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey by Pandia Press. I am considering continuing with their Earth/Space program for our younger children, however, I need a greater challenge for our 5th/6th grader. They currently only offer Level 1 courses which typically covers grades 1-4. For this reason, I have begun an investigation for alternatives or for materials to supplement the Level 1 program. I'd like to share with you some of the programs I have found so far on this quest.

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey

Let's begin with the program we are currently using. The team at Pandia Press as done a fantastic job of bringing science to life for young children. Each lesson is presented in a story-format presenting concepts in an accurate, yet entertaining manner. This program does not shy away from "big terms" and uses accurate scientific vocabulary throughout the lesson. Following the text are correlating hands-on activities in which the concept can be further investigated. Throughout the entire program, students are asked to conjecture, observe, interpret plots and graphs, perform age-appropriate math calculations and draw conclusions based upon what they have read and explored.

We just finished the Chemistry Level 1 program and I am amazed at what our children learned. They begged to do science each day and could not wait for the labs. From drawing atomic models to distinguishing types of chemical reactions, they were exposed to concepts many people do not see until high school. Without a doubt, R.E.A.L. Science fosters scientific inquiry while instilling a love for learning.

Classic Science

I recently stumbled across this comic-book inspired curriculum created by an 8th grade science teacher with an alter-ego, Mr. Q. It only takes one visit to his site to discover Mr. Q has a passion for teaching and genuine love of science. Geared for 6-12 year olds, each course consists of 36 weeks of lessons broken down into two days of reading, vocabulary and writing followed by two days of hands-on activities and experiments. In addition to the student e-text, there is a supplemental parent e-text that provides additional background information and materials required for the experiments. Review questions and tests are available to round out each unit. Mr. Q is so confident you will be impressed that you can actually try the Elementary Life Science e-text for FREE. For more information and lots of great ideas, check out the Blog of Mr. Q.

Math/Science Nucleus

MS Nucleus is a non-profit organization that offers a FREE, online, comprehensive K-12 science curriculum. Upon visiting their site, you will first have to choose either the Elementary or Secondary portal to access the materials. The K-6 elementary program is broken down into the study of several "cycles": Applied Science, The Universe Cycle, Plate Tectonics Cycle, The Rock Cycle, The Water Cycle, and The Life Cycle. Each cycle runs for a designated length of time varying from 4-8 weeks. Each theme consists of a Pre-Lab, Lab, and Post Lab activities which foster problem-solving and critical thinking. In addition, the upper elementary grades begin to integrate age-appropriate math skills in order to lay a foundation for quantitative analysis and logical thinking. There are also a wealth of additional resources including an online dictionary and activities, sideshows, story books, and assessment materials.

The secondary program is laid out in a similar fashion including investigation in the following areas: Physical Science, Human Biology, Earth Science, Biological Science and Math Integration. The Earth Science course has completed the e-textbook, assessment materials, and supplemental, online materials. Like many educational programs, funding is vital. As a result, the other courses are still a "work-in-progress." The aim of the secondary program is to build upon the experiences from completion of the elementary program. Problem-solving, critical thinking, building models, and applying appropriate mathematical concepts make this a challenging program.

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Piecing together your own curriculum, while a daunting task, is another option to consider. There are a wealth of resources on the web available to both teachers and homeschoolers if you have the time to devote to exploration. Here are a few great resources I have found:

FOSS Web
WISE
BrainPOP
USGS
NASA Quest
NASA Education
Discovery Education
BRIDGE Marine Science
Earthguide
Science World
MathMol
Science Museum
NOVA
Sky Diary- KIDSTORM
UCMP Paleontology
ReefED- Great Barrier Reef and Marine Science Resources
ReefHQ- Aquarium
NHI Education Project

In closing, I find I am not any closer to discovering the "perfect" science curriculum. However, I leave you energized and excited about the possibilities. Our children, parents, and educators are fortunate to have a multitude of resources that are so easily accessible. As a mom, a teacher, and a life-long learner, I plan to continue my quest and I'll be happy to share.

Tessellation Explorations Into Art, Geometry and Nature

2010-05-19T22:20:15Z

Summer is almost here, but we are still exploring the mysteries of mathematics and working hard at our house. This week our daughter explored the magical world of tessellations. This was totally new for her and she has had a blast! She loves art and possesses an aptitude for math. So, I knew this would be a great way to merge her two interests. I wanted to keep it simple and allow her freedom to explore, create and connect.

With many of our lessons, I try to find ways to integrate technology into our lessons. I feel there are so many powerful tools available that serve to enhance the learning process. I was excited to find a few great resources to assist in this most recent exploration. Check it out!

Fun Links to Explore:

Tessellate!

Tessellation Town

Tessellation.org

Tessellation Lessons and Supplies

Totally Tessellated!

M.C. Escher

The exploration centered around her visiting the sites and completing the following challenges.

Research and define tessellations in your own words.
Tessellations are all around us! See if you can find three examples found in nature. Make it fun by including pictures.
Explore the work of M.C. Escher. Include your favorite works of art.
There are lots of online tools to help you create your own works of art. Create and share!

I wanted the final project to be created in Google Docs and emailed to me. I am trying to "teach paperless" as much as possible. I promised her I would share her final work.

As an educator, it is rewarding to watch students make connections. As a math teacher, it is even more exciting to hear students (even if they are your own) say math is FUN! This lesson provided our daughter with a way to connect math to her interests and to see math in the world around us.

Homeschooling for "Genuine Understanding"

2010-05-10T18:13:14Z

As a former classroom teacher and a current homeschooling mom of four, assessment strategies are always on the forefront of my mind. For me, I tend to take the road less travelled by searching for ways to measure understanding that does not revolve around traditional assessment, which I feel falls short of achieving this aim. To coin a phrase from Howard Gardner, I want to know if our children are reaching a level of "genuine understanding". In other words, I want to see if they have moved beyond basic mastery of the material towards a deeper, richer level of understanding.

Our current educational system is centered around mastery rather than the acquisition of true knowledge. You do not have to look very far to see this. Most classroom teachers are bound by the chains of standardized testing. Coverage of the material becomes the focus rather than providing students adequate opportunity to digest and process concepts being presented. A score on a test becomes the definitive mark of achievement. I know many teachers who have had glimpses into what is possible when students are allowed the opportunity to create, explore, and synthesize ideas. Teachers, parents, and I daresay, students are amazed at what can be accomplished when the focus shifts from mastery towards true understanding.

When we first began homeschooling, I found myself struggling with the ideas of assessment. I gave timed-tests, chapter tests, and many other types of tests because that is what had occurred previously in school. As a matter of fact, our then second-grader, directly associated her daily mood with how well she performed on a given test. It did not take long to realize the err of my ways and go back to my roots. I slowly began to realize, that in homeschooling, our children had the opportunity to break the chains that bind and spread their wings.

We have now been homeschooling for two and one-half years. As I think through our school days, I find that our children have moved towards an atmosphere of learning for understanding. We take a more organic approach versus a rigid, test-driven curriculum. Assessment is often done through formal discussions, projects, and portfolios. Technology is integrated throughout our day and serves as a tool to enhance our learning environment. I really try to provide opportunities for them to build on prior knowledge, wrestle with ideas, and to discover various ways to apply the material being presented. It is my goal for their learning to be like a lattice structure where ideas are interconnected and their knowledge base strengthened through engaging experiences.

I know there are many skeptics to the idea of a "no test" environment. Just for the record, our children are standardized tested every year because it is required by our Department of Education. They tend to excel and surpass the norm. While paper-and-pencil tests may be for some, we are happy taking a different path. I love that our fourth-grader, after reading Beowulf, can recognize that Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are both examples of modern-day epic tales. I love that I currently have sugar crystals growing in a tea pitcher in our kitchen. I love that our children are creating digital portfolios of their poetry and plan to find some way to publish their final work. It makes me smile that while they excel at video games, they can also animate original art work. Finally, I love that biographical sketches of historical figures can be done through an interactive, digital report versus the standard five-paragraph paper.

I feel we are all life-long learners on a quest to reaching that coveted level of "genuine understanding." It is a process, I feel, that is eternal. For me, I am committed to seeking out new ways to teach and assess understanding. Along the way, I am committed to provide an atmosphere that fosters creativity and helps our children on their journey.

Happy Earth Day- Teaching Paperless

2010-04-22T20:34:28Z

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, I pledged (via @teachpaperless) to go paper-free in our homeschooling today. Honestly, it was wonderful! I wanted to share our day with you and hopefully inspire ideas for your homeschooling or classroom teaching. For me, I am constantly inspired by the wonderful teaching suggestions and ideas shared through my PLN. So, take a peek inside a day at the St. Francis Homeschool.

We begin our day with prayer followed by a morning devotional. Today, we combined history and our religion. We are currently studying The Hundred Year's War in world history and Joan of Arc. Today, we looked more closely at her life and explored her path to sainthood using resources at Catholic Online as well as the BBC History Resources. Using Dabbleboard, we outlined the key facts from her life.

Our children were able to collaborate on this project and we plan to revisit and add to our page at a later date.

For our language arts block today we used Time4Learning, Spelling City and StoryBird. Weekly spelling lists are added every Monday. Today, our children were eager to take their weekly tests. After testing online, they each emailed the pdf of their test to me using gmail. After this success, I have decided to transition to this method of record keeping each week. Less paper and the kids loved it! Earlier in the week, each child used activities on Spelling City to write sentences and paragraphs online using their weekly spelling lists. Again, results were emailed to me and we made corrections through Google Docs. Totally cool! Finally, Luc, our second grader, felt inspired to write a story about the importance of recycling. Using Storybird, he was able to publish his masterpiece. Check it out!

Save the Earth- Recycle! on Storybird

For science, we wrapped up our unit on the periodic table. For the past few weeks, our children have been looking closely at the first 18 elements. I'm always looking for alternative ways to assess understanding. Today, Abby and Ellie showcased their favorite elements on a digital poster created using Glogster.

In addition, Abby, our 4th grader, was emailed a handout to complete reviewing atomic symbols and other important information. Going with the paperless theme, she completed the handout and emailed her responses back to me.

Finally, we ended our day creating wordles suggesting ways we can be better stewards of our world and the environment this Earth Day and every day. Again, the mind of a child is amazing. Even our three year old had great ideas. Take a look at their creations and see their solutions to global issues affecting us all.

Today was a great day! I enjoyed watching our children engaged in their projects and collaborating with each other. We were techie! We were paperless! We did our part today to make this a better world!

Google Docs: A Catalyst for Change in Elementary Writing

2010-04-15T17:18:10Z

Technology is great and has served as a catalyst for for positive change in our language arts currciulum. Thanks to Google docs, I have developed a writer/editor relationship with our 4th grader. She is able to share her projects with me and we are able to collaborate just as in a professional working relationship. Frustration levels have been reduced and more open dialogue has begun. What a cause for celebration! I have found she is more motivated and feels empowered. As a result, the overall quality of work has improved and it has become more fun for everyone. Let's not forget that her typing skills have dramatically improved as well.

Although we have been using this system for a few months now, I wanted to share our success as well as her latest assignment. We have been studying The Black Death in Medieval History. She was asked to write a newspaper article as if she were reporting with the perspective of someone living during that time. Check it out! It's "hot off the press!."

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Death and Destruction: The End of the World
by Abby Allain

A highly contagious disease is spreading rapidly throughout every corner of the known world, leaving most victims dead. One in every three people have died. It is thought to be carried by fleas on rats, which like to hangout in towns, especially the food stores, houses, and ships. It has traveled from southern China, through central Asia, carried over to Baghdad and Crimea. It is thought to have entered Europe by ships going to Italy. It has now spread to Paris and London. Entire cities have been wiped out. Baghdad and Mecca were emptied out into death. Authorities are suggesting to burn clothes of the dead to try and stop this plague from spreading. This serious problem is spreading rapidly leaving none to hide. Its name- The Black Death.
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This assignment showcases one of the many possibilities for teachers and homeschoolers as they search for ways to implement technology meaningfully in their classsrooms. As an educator, I am always looking for new and creative ideas to stimulate excitment while still learning. If you have any ideas to share, please pass them our way. Another great thing about technology is the ability for teachers to share resources and build a community of support. Happy Learning!

Above Average Fun With the iPod Touch: Merging Gymnastics and Math

2010-04-11T19:54:00Z

As a homeschooling mom and math educator, I am always looking for ways to bring authentic learning experiences into our "classroom." Our daughters are members of the North Shore Flairs competitive gymnastics team. Throughout the season, we keep track of their scores and their team's results. We use a great application called Meet Tracker. A couple of weeks ago, our 4th grader began her unit on calculating averages using the Singapore Math (level 5B) math curriculum. I love this program! If you are not familiar with this program, Singapore pushes critical thinking and problem solving and offers many opportunities to see how math can be applied to various situations. However, I thought it would be fun to take a "break" from the book and turn her world- the world of gymnastics. When I mentioned the idea to our daughter, she beamed with excitement and could not wait to get started.

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The assignment is structured after a real gymnastics meet. There are four rotations with an awards ceremony at the end. Questions are to be answered at the end of each rotation and recorded on your handout. Upon completion, the results are to be sent via gmail to your teacher (aka mommmy!). Everything will be done electronically.

Rotation 1: Using the statistics compiled using Meet Tracker, calculate your season averages for vault, bars, beam, floor, and all-around. One caveat, all work must be done by hand! You can check your averages against those on Meet Tracker. Note: Use only the scores from the four regular season meets.

Rotation 2: Using Kid's Zone Create-a-Graph, create bar charts for each event including all-around. Using skitch, capture an image of your chart and include under rotation #2 on your handout.

Rotation 3: Using the statistics for the four meets listed on Meet Tracker, list the team score for each meet and calculate the average team score for this year.

Rotation 4: State meets are the time to showcase all of your hard work over the past season. For each event, compare your state meet results with the scores from the four earlier meets. How do your state meet results compare with your season averages? Determine the net change between your state meet score and your regular season average. Recalculate your season average to include your state meet scores.

Awards Ceremony: Reflect on this past gymnastics season as you respond to the following questions. Refer to the statistics gathered to support your responses.

Which event posed the greatest challenge? Overall, do you feel you improved throughout the season?

Technology Resources: