I will not say I wish I grew up in the present. My 1970s upbringing is who I am, my identity. But man, how exciting are the times we're living in! We need to set a clear message to our children. We are not sure what jobs will be human forever and what autonomous jobs will be taken by machines. I can say that if you are a creator, a maker, an engineer, you will find purpose forever. Think about the advancements in technology recently. I'm intrigued by anything new, especially when it comes to mundane monotonous house work. After seeing the Roomba self cleaning vacuum, I thought "hmmm, what if we took that technology to the backyard? A self driving autonomous lawn mower." As I always do, I Googled "Autonomous Lawn Mowers." I was shocked to see my idea was not only taken, but the major manufacturers had products already on the market. Obviously that technology will just continue to develop and branch to robotic leaf blowers, snow throwers and countless other machines that will free up my time. My point is there are opportunities for our children to be part of the creation of new and innovative creations, but future jobs outside of STEAM jobs are questionable. Let's encourage and promote greatness in our students. And let's start a love of Math & Science!
The Art of the Tape Diagram II
Additive Comparison Model
The Art of the Tape Diagram I
I don't know where you've been all my life!! Tape diagrams are incredibly powerful organizational structures for solving simple to complex problems. Parents, start here. Understand that there are at least four different classes of Tape Diagrams that we use to solve mathematical problems. Below is the most Basic type, Part/Part Whole. Other models we will demonstrate in future blogs will include Additive Comparison Model, the Fraction Model and Models for Ratios & Multiplicative Comparison. Dive in and begin to understand the magic of Tape Diagrams (Also called Bar Models)
Why Math? Math is Sport!
If you think that sports doesn't include math, think again. Size, speed, angles all play part of the success of an athlete.
Why Math? Math is Art!
"A mathematician, like a painter or a poet, is a maker of patterns.”
If you've never felt math is art, take a look here. This may change your mind about the hidden beauty of math. Beautiful designs beyond our wildest imagination are created with compilations of simple numbers. After processing this video, share with the world your love of numbers and math.
Why Math? Math is Sport!
Is sport in your blood? Do you yearn to compete at the top level of your sport? Soccer, basketball, baseball? All sports have numbers that become instinct, but humans that can decipher how to break the code up sports numbers inevitably break records and win championships. I strongly suggest getting hooked on ESPN's Sports Science. It dissects the seemingly unimportant numbers of athletes. The following video breaks down and compares a major league swing to a Little League swing
Why Math? Math is Music!
Do you love music? I do too. But I never understood that music is an alluring language and that the key to unlocking the jargon is math. If you learn nothing else by watching, understand that math is in music. And it is beautiful. Math in music is so much more than simple beat. Math is everywhere in music. Understand how to change the math and you can create music that illuminates this world. And as our world becomes more and more automated, there will be time and certainly a need for illuminating the world.
Watch this video. Begin to understand why math foundations will build your creative towers.
Why Math? Math is in Our Future
In the early 2000s, world innovation became stunted. Developing social habits ; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, dominated world minds. Luckily, we are progressing beyond the early 2000s. It's time to innovate. Innovation is all about creativity in math. Take a look at this Ted Talk and start dreaming of how math and your creativity will help shape an incredible future for all of humankind. Drone technology relies on creative algorithm production. It's time for a new Industrial Revolution, It's time to create the future!