WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Log In

We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

Featured:

The Power of Collaborative Learning at The College Preparatory School

High school students in group at round table

Featured:

Nichole Pinkard on Digital Literacy (Big Thinkers Series)

Featured:

A Parent's Guide to 21st-Century Learning

Blogs on Math

More Blogs on MathRSS

Humanities in the Twenty-First Century

Bill SmootJuly 20, 2011

Tags Arts Education, Biology, Literacy, Teacher Development, Chemistry, Middle (6-8), Drama, High (9-12), All Grades, English Language Arts, History, Math, Music, Science, Visual Arts, World Language Learning

Bill Smoot teaches English at the Castilleja School in Palo Alto, California. He is the author of Conversations with Great Teachers.

Two roads have diverged in our national debate about education. Should we educate students for the 21st-century job market (with an emphasis on STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and math), or does a broad liberal arts education, preparing students for all of life -- work included -- still make sense?

The Brain-Based Benefits of Writing for Math and Science Learning (Part 2 of 7)

Judy Willis MDJuly 11, 2011

Tags Brain Research, Literacy, Teacher Development, All Grades, English Language Arts, Math, Science

Former neurologist and teacher Judy Willis MD continues with her 5-part series on how young brains develop neurologically. This post covers the benefits of writing, particularly for logical functions like math and science learning.

As science and math are slated for more emphasis in our classrooms, writing should not be sacrificed. Indeed, in the past two decades, neuroscience and cognitive science research have provided increasing evidence that correlates creativity with academic, social, and emotional intelligence. Writing can help the brain to develop the logical functions required for successful math and science learning.

Assessing the Common Core Standards: Real Life Mathematics

Andrew MillerJune 28, 2011

Tags Common Core Standards, Comprehensive Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math

Another buzzword that permeates the conversation around education is relevancy, and rightfully so. We want our students not only to make connections to real world problems but also to do these activities.

How Team Teaching Can Improve Your Game

Betty RayMay 27, 2011

Tags Professional Development, Teacher Development, Team Teaching, High (9-12), California, Math

Editor's Note: Through video observation, collaborative planning, and candid, constructive criticism, California high school math teachers Mike Fauteux and Rose Zapata have devised a formula to improve their practice and increase student achievement. After Edutopia produced this video, Mike and Rose, who teach at Leadership Public School in Hayward, CA, shared their insights with me about how to create a successful team teaching partnership.

How to Plan Instruction Using the Video Game Model

Judy Willis MDMay 24, 2011

Tags Curriculum, Differentiated Instruction, Formative Assessment, Multiple Intelligences, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math

Imagine you are placed in the following scenarios:

You are dropped off at the top of a ski resort's steepest run when you've only had experience on the beginner slopes.
You have to spend your day on the bunny hill when you're an expert skier.
You play a game of darts with the target two feet away.
You play a game of darts with the target 200 feet away.
You are a 3rd grade student trying to do a crossword puzzle designed for experts.
You are an adult trying to do a crossword puzzle designed for children.

New Models for Education: Maker Faire and the Young Makers Program

Michelle HlubinkaMay 17, 2011

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Michelle Hlubinka, the Education Director for Maker Faire and Make magazine.

Maker Faire is a combination DIY festival and project showcase, sponsored by Make magazine, where "makers" of all ages convene to show off a spectacular array of projects that combine science, art, performance, creative reuse, and technology in varying degrees. Not surprisingly, an increasing number of educators are getting involved in these events which are currently held in the Bay Area, Detroit and New York. There are also many independently organized Mini-Maker Faires around the country. Maker Faire Bay Area is this weekend, May 21 - 22nd.

Tips for Using Project-Based Learning to Teach Math Standards

Andrew MillerMay 10, 2011

Tags Project-Based Learning, High (9-12), Math

Editor's Note: Andrew Miller is a consultant for the Buck Institute for Education, an organization that specializes in project-based curriculum. He also creates curriculum and instruction at Giant Campus, which seeks to create 21st century learners using PBL in an online environment.

Let's be honest. Designing PBL for Math can be a different beast. With the pressure of high-stakes testing and a packed curriculum, I often coach teachers who are nervous about giving time to a robust PBL project. In addition, because of the plethora of math standards, it can be difficult to choose the right learning target(s) for the project. Here are some tips for teachers designing individual Math PBL projects.

STEMposium Winners: Five Outstanding STEM Projects

Amy WhittakerMay 9, 2011

Tags Community Partnerships, Mentoring, Project-Based Learning, Student Work Examples, High (9-12), California, Math, Science

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Amy Whittaker, one of the co-producers of the STEMposium event.

On April 1st, a sold-out crowd of 250 students, teachers and civic, business, philanthropic, nonprofit, education and technology leaders flocked to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco for STEMposium^TM - a celebration of excellence in K-12 STEM education innovation presented by the nonprofit EnCorps Teachers Program with co-host Citizen Schools.

Student Internships: Building a Bigger Pipeline to STEM

Suzie BossMay 5, 2011

Tags Biology, Business Partnerships, Career and Technical Education, Community Partnerships, Integrated Studies, Student Internships, Technology Integration, Chemistry, All Grades, Math, Science, Visual Arts, Ohio

For students who are curious about science, a medical center offers a world of interesting questions to investigate. Since 2005, hundreds of motivated high school students have spent their summers as paid interns

There is an "E" in STEM!

Eric BrunsellApril 25, 2011

Tags Career and Technical Education, Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Lesson Plans, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Math, Science

Quite often, STEM discussions focus solely on traditional science and mathematics courses. However, a growing emphasis is being placed on the role of engineering in K-12 education. A few years ago, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council commissioned a study of the status of engineering in K-12 education. In their 2009 report, the commission outlined three general principles for engineering education.