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Music Improves A Child's Math Understanding

ScienceDaily (Mar. 22, 2012) — Tapping out a beat may help children learn difficult fraction concepts, according to new findings due to be published in the journal Educational Studies in Mathematics. An innovative curriculum uses rhythm to teach fractions at a California school where students in a music-based program scored significantly higher on math tests than their peers who received regular instruction."Academic Music" is a hands-on curriculum that uses music notation, clapping, drumming and chanting to introduce third-grade students to fractions. The program, co-designed by San Francisco State University researchers, addresses one of the most difficult -- and important -- topics in the elementary mathematics curriculum.if student don't understand fractions early on, they often struggle with algebra and mathematical reasoning later in their schooling," said Susan Courey, assistant professor of special education at San Francisco State University. "We have designed a method that uses gestures and symbols to help children understand parts of a whole and learn the academic language of math." The program has shown tangible results at Hoover Elementary School in the San Francisco Bay Area.  By clapping and drumming rhythms and chanting each note's Kodaly names, students learn the time value of musical notes. Students learn to add and subtract fractions by completing work sheets, in which they draw musical notes on sheet music, ensuring the notes add up to four beats in each bar or measure. The program has also proven itself at Allen Elementary School, a San Bruno public school -- not included in the study -- that has been using the Academic Music program since 2007. "Academic Music brings music into the classroom and gets children to learn math in a different way that's symbolic and not dependent on language," said Kit Cosgriff, principal at Allen Elementary School, who introduced the program to help the schools' diverse student body learn math in ways that are not language-based. "We're suggesting that teachers put music in their arsenal of tools for teaching math." Courey said. "It's fun, it doesn't cost a lot, and it keeps music in the classroom." "Academic Music: Music Instruction to Engage Third Grade Students in Learning Basic Fraction Concepts" has been accepted for press in the journal Educational Studies in Mathematics and will be published online next week. Courey co-authored the paper with Endre Balogh, director and lead music teacher at Toones Academic Music, and a graduate of SF State's music education program (B.A. '06). Other co-authors included Jae Paik, associate professor of psychology at SF State, and Jody R. Siker, a graduate student in the SF State-UC, Berkeley joint doctoral program in special education.

Hybrid Classes

A one- to-one computing classroom refers to an "all laptop" "all wireless" computing classroom.  This trendy new classroom prototype has been tested in several schools districts.  Several educational theorists including Robert Marzano have pointed out processes involved in online learning  including creativity, organization skills, and leadership skills.   From this technology based learning, has come several educational technology projects and sponsors.  There are many web based collaborative learning sites "wikis" and "google spaces" and mock businesses where kids can organize, post, and collaborate. the options are limitless, and I haven't even browsed half of the sites on the following list.   Kids twelve and up really would benefit from learning how to access and compile data online and communicate successfully through emails and postings.  For younger kids there are fun competitive sites such as spellingcity.com.  For an older child, one might consider creating an "online class" with posted daily lessons and data entry assignments. The following links are educational technology journals and sites for online collaborative learning.  http://121resources.wikispaces.com/Teaching+with+Technology (click the first link) https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=1209600&continue=http://docs.google.com/m&followup=http://docs.google.com/m&btmpl=mobile<mpl=mobilex http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/ http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/02/16/11-programs-only-as-good-as-their-teachers/

Potty Training

Potty training-Oh the embarrassment! I feel like I should be a master of potty training and yet it has been a struggle.  Schuyler is not allowed to go to the Awana club cubbies group until she is trained, so this has kicked the potting into full gear .  I am now constantly on her. "let's try to go" "let's wear underwear for the afternoon" "lets read Once upon a Potty" . The process has definitely been harder on me than for her. Catching her when she wakes up and right after she drinks has been our most successful points in time. I now think there should be a mommy award for successfully making it through potty training stage! 

Preschool Learning

The word “Curriculum aka: course of study” refers to an organized set of objectives or courses for learning based on a particular grade level.  These standards are designed in a way to maximize and document learning. A simple way to teach preschool curriculum to a toddler is to pick one of these objectives and make a point to talk about and teach at least one of these skills every day. I am going to blog about a lesson I am teaching for each of these skills.

 

Typical Course of Study Preschool Curriculum Guide

Size

* Understands big and little.
* Understands long and short.
* Matches shapes or objects based on size.

Colors and Shapes

* Recognizes and names primary colors.
* Recognizes circles.
* Recognizes rectangles.
* Matches shapes or objects based on shape.
* Copies shapes.

Numbers

* Counts orally through 10.
* Counts objects in one-to-one correspondence.
* Understands empty and full.
* Understands more and less.

Reading Readiness

* Remembers objects from a given picture.
* Knows what a letter is.
* Has been read to frequently.
* Has been read to daily.
* Looks at books and magazines.
* Recognizes some nursery rhymes.
* Identifies parts of the body.
* Identifies objects that have a functional use.
* Knows common farm and zoo animals.
* Pronounces own first name.
* Pronounces own last name.
* Expresses self verbally.
* Identifies other children by name
* Tells the meaning of simple words.
* Repeats a sentence of 6-8 words.
* Completes incomplete sentence with proper word.
* Has own books.
* Understands that print carries a message.
* Pretends to read.
* Uses left-to-right progression.
* Answers questions about a short story.
* Tells the meaning of words heard in story.
* Looks at pictures and tells a story.
* Identifies own first name in manuscript.
* Prints own first name.

Position and Direction

* Understands up and down.
* Understands in and out.
* Understands front and back.
* Understands over (on) and under.
* Understands top, bottom, middle.
* Understands beside and next to.
* Understands hot and cold.
* Understands fast and slow.

Time

* Understands day and night.
* Knows age and birthday.

Listening and Sequencing

* Follows simple directions.
* Listens to a short story.
* Listens carefully.
* Recognizes common sounds. 
* Repeats a sequence of sounds.
* Repeats a sequence of orally given numbers.
* Retells simple stories in sequence.

Motor Skills

* Is able to run.
* Is able to walk a straight line.
* Is able to jump.
* Is able to hop.
* Is able to alternate feet walking down stairs.
* Is able to march.
* Is able to stand on one foot for 5-10 seconds.
* Is able to walk backwards for five feet.
* Is able to throw a ball.
* Pastes objects.
* Claps hands. 
* Matches simple objects.
* Touches fingers.
* Able to button a garment.
* Builds with blocks.
* Completes simple puzzles
(5 pieces or less).
* Draws and colors beyond
* a simple scribble.
* Able to zip a zipper.
* Controls pencil and crayon well.
* Cuts simple shapes.
* Handles scissors well.
* Able to copy simple shapes.

Social-Emotional Development

* Can be away from parents or primary care givers for 2-3 hours
without being upset.
* Takes care of toilet needs independently.
* Feels good about self.
* Is not afraid to go to school.
* Cares for own belongings.
* Knows full name.
* Dresses self.
* Knows how to use handkerchief
or tissue.
* Knows own sex.
* Brushes teeth.
* Crosses residential street safely.
* Asks to go to school.
* Knows parents' names.
* Knows home address.
* Knows home phone number.
* Enters into casual conversation.
* Carries a plate of food.
* Maintains self-control.
* Gets along well with other children.
* Plays with other children.
* Recognizes authority.
* Shares with others.
* Talks easily.
* Likes teachers.
* Meets visitors without shyness.
* Puts away toys.
* Able to stay on task.
* Able to work independently.
* Helps family with chores.

Gathered from http://www.freehomeschooling101.com/

Does Sponge Bob really ruin a child’s attention span?

Does Sponge Bob really ruin a child’s attention span?

According to recent studies it does. Apparently there are two studies conducted on children ages two years and under which have confirmed this.  I doubt these reports quite a bit and attribute their results to other factors such as: children picked for the study and each individual child’s preference for a particular show (ex: kids with short attention spans may be drawn to shows such as Sponge Bob).  But despite my doubt, all parents have a duty to play with their kids, and expose them to educational lessons and trips.  Parents need to exercise proper discipline and say no to the T.V.  and yes to learning time! One scheduled learning activity each day will add up especially if you consistently return to do it again. Your child will begin to improve each time!

There is so much to do… say yes to a few of these activities for your little ones

Grow a plant

Go to the Library

Get a pet

Play a game of hopscotch

For those of us in Florida, go to the beach

Go swimming

Play dress up

Feed ducks

Educational Technology-iPad Apps

For those of us with 1-3 year olds we are sole providers of our child's education. In addition to all the other things mommies do such as educational trips, reading to our child, and coloring with our child we can also provide them with educational technology.  After reviewing many apps and watching my daughter gain more and more skills with the iPad, I have compiled a list of my favorite apps for learning.

1. Jumpstart Preschool- This app contains many of the games other apps do all compiled into one source with awesome graphics. Even if your child is not ready to play all the games, he/she can entertain themselves by just touching and watching most of the games.

2. Moose Cow Apps- these are for ages 12-24 months and contain matching games and interactive stories that will keep your child entertained for hours. Word Wagon (one of their apps) is great for 2-3+ year olds and includes spelling by matching letters to their correct placement in words.

3. Montessori Math this is for older children 3-5 year olds includes sorting by size and adding numbers. Along this line is Park Math. This app includes more graphics and adding without as much sorting and lining up. Montessori Counting Board is also good although it is not 100% true to montessori theory I would say my daughter likes it a little better than the other.

4. My daughter learned how to count with Toddler Counting.  This is a simple app that counts items. This is a VERY simple app with little variety, but my daughter loved it. I would recommend for 9-15 months olds.

5. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is an app that includes four games puzzle, memory cards, identifying small and large,  and identifying colors. It is another app with great graphics.

6. A Bumblebee Touch Book  is a great app for children who love stories. It includes a rhyming story and counting. It teaches concepts such as "fly away" "more" and "how many left". Starfall has a similar app called "Snowman". While Starfall's apps are more expensive I do like them all.

7. I have been looking for some good phonic apps. There are a few apps that emphasize sounds: Two I've used are Preschool Prep Company: Meet the Vowels and Phonics Free/Phonics Land.
  
8. Junior Mc Pea- This app teaches shapes, following paths and counting. Its simple, but my daughter liked it.

9. Toka Boca apps there is one for baking, a tea party, and a dr. App. These apps all encourage imagination in children.

10. Tozzle- This app teaches spatial skills by puzzles and matching. My daughter LOVES it so kid approval places it at number ten.


I've seen a lot of word flash card apps but have not really used them with my daughter. Feel free to post if any readers have opinions about these.