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Average: 4.9 (117 votes)

How to Teach Math as a Social Activity

A master teacher in Anchorage, Alaska, establishes a cooperative-learning environment in an upper-elementary classroom. More to this story.

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Release Date: 2/27/08
Running Time: 9 min.

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

  • Ken Ellis

Associate Producer:

  • Amy Erin Borovoy

Editor:

  • Karen Sutherland

Camera Crew:

  • Rob Weller
  • Cal Coleman

Narrator:

  • Karen Sutherland
  • © 2008
  • The George Lucas Educational Foundation
  • All rights reserved.

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0
was this helpful?
katie murdock
Posted on 2/27/2008 12:26pm

Cooperative Arithmetic

Unfortunately I don't have speakers so couldn't listen to the video-it looks good but I would like to have more information - as in the possibility of e-mailing that teacher. I am the Education Cooridnator for Housing Advocacy Council mainly in Financial Literacy in Monterey County, CA. This video, even silent, has given me ideas to use in a school environment for the Financial Literacy workshops.
Could someone put me in touch with the teacher or the school or they could be given my e-mail address.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

0
was this helpful?
Carol
Posted on 2/27/2008 12:50pm

Nice video lesson!

Thanks for sharing this video about cooperative learning. It's quick, to the point, and easily adapted for any subject area.

0
was this helpful?
Lance Smith
Posted on 2/27/2008 2:07pm

WOOO HOOOO!!!!!

Very cool! anchorage guy does good

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was this helpful?
Posted on 2/27/2008 7:29pm

Contacting teacher in video

Staff comment:

Katie,

John (Chris) Opitz teaches at Willard Bowman Elementary School, in Anchorage, Alaska.

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Tyra Vincek
Posted on 2/27/2008 10:07pm

That's my teacher!!!

Chris is my teacher and he is this amazing every day!!
I am so lucky that I have a teacher like him. He has inspired me so much. Math was my worst subject but now that Chris is my teacher, it is my favorite subject. Astronomy is fun too because we got to make a planetarium at the beginning of the year. Thank you Chris!

Tyra Vincek
grade 5
Willard L. Bowman Elementary
Anchorage, Alaska

0
was this helpful?
Lisa
Posted on 2/28/2008 8:56am

Building cooperation in the classroom

The relationship between the students in this class appears to be very respectful and cooperative. They seem to have a sense of 'we're in this together' and 'I'm on your side'. Building cooperation in classrooms fosters success for all students. It's evident that these students have learned to respect the thinking of their classmates. That's a skill that will last them a lifetime. It was great to see this in action. Thanks for sharing!

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patty
Posted on 2/28/2008 2:37pm

Copy of this video

Is there a way to obain a copy of this video?

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L.Sullivan
Posted on 2/28/2008 10:21pm

Inspiring teaching video!

Inspirational teaching!

This would be a great video to watch at the beginning of each year and then again during the year!

Way to go Mr. Optiz! It's great to know you teach in the Anchorage School District!

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was this helpful?
Michael Paul Goldenberg
Posted on 2/29/2008 8:41pm

Teaching math as a social activity

Great work, Chris. You and your students are to be commended. Thank you for a look into your practice and the enormously helpful documents. I have been circulating links to this video and hope that many people are able to benefit from it as much as I have already.

0
was this helpful?
Lisa
Posted on 2/29/2008 9:45pm

Kudos George Lucas Foundation!

My son is Riley and he is featured in this clip. I too, am thankful to Chris Opitz for making math not only fun and thoughtful for my child, but for increasing his appetite for more.
My wish for every student would be to have a teacher like Chris. He is the real deal!!!!

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