A make-shift see-saw in the center of my classroom got the attention of the kids entering my math class. I had borrowed a saw-horse and a long board from builders who were making repairs on the school. The see-saw was one of many science experiments that I used to teach math. But even in a […]
Math For Young Learners: Counting a Dozen
I Wonder…How Much Is a Dozen? Round Up These Things 1 empty 1-dozen egg carton 12 small things that will fit inside the egg carton holders, such as plastic dinosaurs. Let’s Find Out 1. Open the egg carton and place it on a table. 2. Using your finger, touch and count each bowl-shaped egg holder […]
Ten Penny Nail
In the United States, some nails are measured in pennies, such as 10-penny, which is written 10d. The penny measurement goes back to the 15 century in England and referred to the price for 100 nails. A nail about 3 inches long would cost 10 pence per hundred. The larger the nail, the higher the […]
Daylight Saving
Purpose To compare standard time (sun-time) and DST. Materials hammer 3-inch (7.5- cm) 16d nail or other long nail 2-by-4-by-6-inch (5-by-10-by-15-cm) wooden block. watch 2 markers -1 black, 1red adult helper Procedure 1. Ask your adult helper to hammer the tip of the nail near one end of the wooden block. The nail should be […]
Janice at the South Pole Marker
I was invited to go to the South Pole by CARA (Center of Research in Antarctica), at the University of Chicago. CARA is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the objective of the trip was to encourage student interest in science as well as the science in Antarctica. Information collected during this excursion served as […]
Shapes Cut From Homemade Dough
One way to introduce different shapes is to cut shapes from dough using cookie-cutters. The shapes shown are cut from a spicy dough made by mixing 1-cup of applesauce, 1-cup of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of white liquid glue (Elmer’s glue). What to Do 1. Combine the applesauce, cinnamon, and glue in a bowl. Stir […]
Time: Standard, Local, Daylight Saving
Standard time refers to sun time, or time one would determine using a sundial. I call it REAL TIME, but that is a Janice VanCleave term. A time zone refers to a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually called local time. Time zones were established in the in the […]
Dimensional Analysis
Which carpet price is less expensive? $9.00 per square yard? $1.50 per square foot? Think! 1. The same units of measuring are needed in order to compare the prices. 2. You need to have a conversion factor between the units of square foot and square yard. 3. Remember that a conversion factor is a fraction […]
Math and the Bible
The Author of the geometry book has a great chapter on conditional statements, which he calls “if-then statements.” This idea can be expanded to include every curriculum that I can think of, including the Bible. Just think of all the times that the Lord told the Israelite that: If they would do something, then God […]
Geometry: Angles
What is Geometry? Geometry is the mathematical study of figures and shapes. Let’s find out the difference between figures and shapes, define angles and of course, play and learn how angles form polygons–closed, straight sided figures. Figures vs. Shapes A geometric figure is the entire object, while a shape is the outer form of the […]