YouCubed

Yesterday I was introduced to a whole new Mathematics world - YouCubed! For those of you who are questioning what YouCubed is, it is an amazing resource for both teachers and parents to use with students in Kindergarten through to Grade 12. It is described as "a non-profit organization offering free K-12 Mathematics resources for educators and parents" by the site's leader, Jo Boaler. She is a Math Specialist at Stanford University who has become a driving force behind math change around the world. 

Although the site is not completely finished yet, I would still recommend that it be visited by educators and parents involved in Math. There are games for students so that they are not bored with the same everyday routine of "take out your textbook and turn to page 146. Do problems 1-9." There are more than ten games listed, with very detailed instructions - so detailed that a teacher could use them for a lesson plan for a change one day. There are also Apps listed that can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device for children to "play" around with. I think the idea of Math games are amazing. When children are playing them, they think it's just for fun and that there is no learning involved. When I have tutored in previous years, I would always "treat" my students with a game for doing so well. They would be so happy to have "free time to play" that they would completely forget they were being tutored! Little did they know, they were learning so much from these games. 

I have read a few articles associated with the YouCubed website and I have come across some very important information that has really opened my eyes. Some of this information includes the fact that each and every student has the potential to be good at Mathematics - we just need to teach it the right way. Math should be open and broad and we should be teaching various concepts that match the learning style of the student. There is also a huge difference in the Math we need in our everyday lives and what is being taught in classrooms today. In the article "The Stereotypes That Distort how Americans Teach and Learn Math" Boaler says "Students in the Common Core will spend less time practicing isolated methods and more time solving applied problems that involve connecting different methods, using technology, understanding multiple representations of ideas, and justifying their thinking." We should be teaching students not only how to do the problems in their book, but how to get to the answer, apply what they have learned, and justify their thinking or they will struggle with Math later in their lives. Another point that was made in this article that I view as important is the fact that we should not be pressuring children to get their Math done quickly - this will only promote anxiety. Allowing students time to think will do wonders for their minds.

For those of you who would like to check out this website, click here.  I can guarantee I will be a regular visitor and I cannot wait for the site to be complete.  I will most definitely be using it as a resource when I get out into the classroom and I will start telling every teacher I know about it!  I believe teaching Mathematics is very important and I think educators everywhere should have access to this free website!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :) !