For the rest of your life you will be using the math skills you're wrestling with this year. Yes, math can be intimidating. I can help with that. Mad About Math takes the numb out of numbers by incorporating audience interaction, zany demonstrations, colorful props and humor. It's a whole new way of looking at the world of numbers around us—with fascination and gratitude.
This 50 minute romp through the world of everyday mathematics includes: numbers, shapes & geometry, estimation, patterns, problem solving (with-out panic), measurement, time, spending money and a brief history of four mathematicians who are famous for doing exciting and dangerous things (from Pythagorus to Florence Nightingale). Oh, and a smidgen of juggling.
Throughout the program, Keith reinforces three concepts that teachers told him were crucial: Homework is an important part of learning, If you are confused-ask for help!, and Understand the whole question before you attempt an answer.
Keith's Bio: As a part-time special ed student in elementary school, Keith Michael Johnson developed two skills that led to his success: humor and perseverance. Keith has parlayed his curious and unique approach to elementary school studies into a series of programs that make math, history, reading and science engaging, educational and unforgettable. Keith started his "show business" in 1986 and now performs 300 programs a year in elementary schools and libraries throughout CT, MA and RI. He's a graduate of Roger Williams University and Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Clown College—where he fine tuned his comedy skills and earned a BFA (Bachelor of Fun Arts).
Something to try in class:
You're never to old (or young) to memorize this useful math poem:
Thirty days hath September, April, June and November.
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except for February alone.
And that has twenty-eight days clear.
And twenty-nine in each leap year.
Or, try some Slimy Math!
No I don't use slime in Mad About Math, but I do in Science Isn't Always Pretty. Teachers have made such wonderful use of my recipe that I share it with you now, along with math-centric activities to try.
Understand all the directions before you begin. Use your math skills to measure carefully.
Ingredients
• 1 Rounded Teaspoon 20 Mule Team Borax powder (Found with laundry detergents at the grocery store.)
• 8 OZ White School Glue. (Make Sure it's School Glue!)
• 1 1/2 Cups of Water.
• 16 Drops of Food Coloring. (Vote to see which color will be used, graph the votes.)
• 1 plastic Zip Lock type bag or other air tight container.
Directions
1. In a glass bowl stir 1 cup of water together with the glue and food coloring.
2. Dissolve the Borax powder in the remaining 1/2 cup of water.
3. Add borax mixture to glue mix (making sure all borax has been added) and stir until a slimy lump forms. Stir vigorously for another 20 seconds to continue the reaction.
4. Remove the lump of slime and kneed it with your hands to dry it and complete the reaction. In about 2 minutes or so, you should be holding a ball of wonderful slime that pulls clean from your hands.
• It is now ready to use. If you have residual liquid, add more borax liquid to it to get more slime.
• Store (or give away) your slime in the Zip Lock type bag.
Please Note: Slime is considered non-toxic, but it should not be eaten. Children should enlist the help of an adult when making slime.
Now try this with your slime. . .
• Place your ball of slime on a level, clean, smooth top (desk) table. (Test first to be sure the slime will easily peel off.) Estimate how large a puddle it will make or how long you think it will take to make a puddle of a certain diameter or circumference.
• Try chilling the slime in a fridge for a short time or heating it for 30 seconds (or less) in a microwave. Record the before and after temperatures and observe changes in it's behavior at different temperatures.
• Divide the slime into 3 various sized pieces and have a drip off. Will the large, medium or small piece make the longest drip before breaking? Record your measurements to discover the biggest class drip.
• Will slime stretch (when pulled using two hands) farther than it will drip?
Have you read these books?
• Math In the Bath by Sara Atherlay
• Cool Math by Christy Maganzini
• Real-Life Math Investigations (series) by Martin Lee and Marcia Miller
• Math Trivial Pursuit (game book) by Pat Dunn
• Garbage Pizza Patchwork Quilts and Math Magic by Susan Ohanian
• Math for the Very Young, A Handbook of Activities for Parents and Teachers
• Everything You Need to Know About Math Homework (series) by Scholastic
• The Greedy Triangle by Burns
• How Math Works by Carol Vortman
• The Universe and the Teacup, The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty by K.C. Cole - very interesting reading for adults.