I have finally caught up on all of the posts and comments you have all made so far this year and I LOVE the discussions that are going on.
A thought kept coming to me and I thought I would give you a challenge to help you give your kids a new way of thinking about reading and math...
Think about kids who get you into a "why?" debate. Every single one of my own children at one point or another would ask me "why?" about something and I would answer and then they would ask me "why?" about that, and I would answer and they would keep asking "why?" until I got to something that they felt was an acceptable "end" to their questions. Kids want to know why, and when they feel like they do, then they seem okay about proceeding. Try the "why?" game with your students sometime and see what reasons they can come up with as a group for the reasons that math or reading are important.
In fact, let's try it here. Comment on this post with an answer to this question....
WHY ARE READING AND MATH IMPORTANT TO KNOW?
ONE RULE - You cannot repeat someone else's answer...
Kim---One way I have addressed this is I have students choose a job and then find a person who does that job (or the other way around choose a person and report on whatever their job is) and then ask them how they use math, reading, and writing in their job. I start by having students brainstorm a list of what jobs they think you don't need to know math in order to do then reading in order to do, and then writing. It creates a good discussion because students will say certain jobs and then others will think of ways they do use math, reading, writing and it actually is harder than students first predict. So we think and come up with jobs that don't use these things (which some jobs do use it I just don't tell the students yet until after their career posters). Then students interview and make a poster about different careers and how they use math, reading, and writing. It normally is amazing for students how basically everything does use a lot of math, reading, and writing--even jobs that you don't need additional schooling for. Students list specific things in 3 columns for each category (math, reading, writing) and even for jobs that students thought didn't need a lot of math or reading (like janitor for example is one they always say) they end up seeing that you actually do! I feel like this interview and project helps students get the "why" because they understand that they will have a job one day.
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ReplyDeleteKim: Since I often work with "reluctant learners", it essential to make school-type learning relevant. This means giving lots of whys for learning to read, write, and do math. Like Janelle, I have had students brainstorm and interview others regarding reading and math skills needed in various jobs. This has worked well with high school level students, but hasn't had as much impact with my elementary level students. However, we have charted practical applications of math and reading in their "real life" (their words). For example, some of my students really like sports so we have focused on what math is involved. They've said that you have to know math to figure out the scoring, understand statistics, track data on your performance, use a stop watch to record performance, use a clock to count down time, understand various measurements, calculate ticket costs, etc. Some of my students also are very impressed with reading about Warrior athletes in the newspaper which gives them a practical reason to read.
ReplyDeleteI talk about this a lot with my students. We discuss almost daily how what we are learning in math might be useful outside of school. I think it is not only the practice of both math and reading that are important but the process and concepts that students have to learn and make their own. Being able to stick with a task, read a book to completion, work a math problem until it makes sense and answers the essential question are lessons that must be learned because this diligence will stick with a student throughout their life. Of course, kids need to read to attain certain types of knowledge. They have to have both these skills to hold jobs and be part of a community. But, reading and math should get them to ask why of many things. Reading and math will get their brain engaged in different ways. Music, science, sports, etc. It is an essential skill. It is a way to communicate with and change the world.
ReplyDeleteReading and math are the basic, fundamental skills that allow you to learn and acquire new skills/knowledge. When I think about our district and a some of the elementary schools that have become No Excuses University schools, and how we want to make sure every student has the opportunity to go to college, I think it is critical that students know that reading and math skills are embedded in every course you will take in college. To be a successful college student and citizen, for that matter, you must have acquired these skills.
ReplyDeleteMine is similar to Jenna's answer. Reading and Math are important to know to continue our education. I teach first grade. I tell my students that these skills are important so they can go to second grade, then third and so on...The skills we are learning now will be built upon in future grades. They like knowing that being good at addition will lead to them being able to do multiplication.
ReplyDeleteSo you don't have to live under a bridge when you get older. :) Carter and I have this conversation many times. Before we bought our new house, Carter and I drove I-5 to come to school. There was a homeless man that slept under a tree frequently. Carter and I always discussed that he needs to learn to read and write and do math so that he can go to college and get a good job so that he can have a house to live in. I love using the scare tactic!
ReplyDelete"Wide, abundant reading is the surest route out of poverty and the limitations that impose themselves on the less literate." This is a line from chapter 4 of Schomer's book. It really caught my attention and has been on my mind a lot since I read it. The morning after I read that chapter I actually talked to my kids about it (in first grade terms of course!) They had been struggling to focus during our ECRI (literacy) lesson, so I stopped and asked them if or why it was important to learn that stuff. Then I asked about what kinds of things they wanted when they grow up, and what kind of jobs they wanted to have. Then I explained that I had just read a book that said the best way be become successful in life, was to be a reader.
ReplyDeleteIn my frosh physical science class we read about Isaac Newton’s childhood:
ReplyDeleteHe is born prematurely the same year civil war breaks out in England to an illiterate farmer. His father dies in the war. When his mother remarries his stepfather insists that Isaac be sent away to live with his grandparents. Isaac is an angry boy and threatens to burn his parents in their house. Isaac’s stepfather dies and he is passed back to his mother. In school Isaac is poorer, older, and of lower social standing than the other students. At 16 his mother pulls him out of school to begin his career farming. Farming doesn't go well (criminal conviction for Newton).
Basically Newton’s early life is a mess – the Great Plague of London fits in there somewhere too. But Newton loves to read. He is interested in math. He even reads books about math! Hiding out in the country from the plague he fills shelves with his collection of books. He does some amazing work.
Reading and math are important because the help further technology (where would we be without calculus?) and allow us to overcome the obstacles life throws in our way – to perhaps accomplish something great.
Note: The reading we do in my class is from Joy Hakim’s The Story of Science collection. ~7th grade reading level. It is awesome.