problem solving – Write Away

April 23, 2016

The Art of Tinkering Teaches Thinking

It’s Saturday morning and you have a list of chores to complete. One of them is to fix part of the backyard fence. The wear of winter snow tore away some lengths of wire from the wooden posts, which are somewhat rotted. Your child tags along. You talk to her out loud as you poke around in your workbench Continue reading

Interdiscipinary learning, Relationships, Speaking and listening

problem solving, Teach child tinkering, Tinkering

November 11, 2015

Music Lovers Are Problem Solvers

Problem solving stretches far beyond a math lesson, into every facet of a child’s education. When you use music as an intentional strategy, you’re building music lovers who will be problem solvers. Active listening (what do you hear?), imagination (what are the possibilities?), and sustained focus (what do you think is the composer’s message?) You Continue reading

Music, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

listening skills, music and math, problem solving

June 16, 2015

Math on National Fudge Day

When I heard that today was National Fudge Day, I dug out my grandmother’s recipe book to find “Fudge Without Cooking.” Grammy reused and recycled many things, including two pieces of plywood from her friend Mrs. Bagelmann’s husband, a pharmacist. Inside, she handwrote, typed, or taped recipes on stiff manila cardboard pages. Following a fudge Continue reading

Math, Reading, Social and emotional development, Teaching and Learning, Vocabulary

cooking, estimation, problem solving, thinking