Education
Goals
By the year 2000, U.S. students will be first in the world
in mathematics and science achievement.
Students must feel the excitement of math and science to stay
interested. Through tutoring and special programs, students
can become achievers capable of competing in an increasingly
interdependent world. Older persons can help that process by
complimenting students on their efforts. An older adult has
great credibility with most youth. Students who believe they
can succeed are capable of taking on new challenges, and they
can perform in more difficult areas, including math and science.
Traditional approaches such as tutoring and mentoring are important,
but equally worth pursuing are innovations like early exposure
to math and special conferences that encourage interest in math
and science.
"The idea of helping relationships between young &
old promotes the extended family concept which is so lacking
for many of our clients at both ends of the age spectrum."
Philip C. Bradley, Director Illinois Department of Public Aid
1. Math Their
Way: Seniors Help Bring Math Alive
By Jody Ware, Principal, Taylor
Park School, Freeport
Children are counting marbles, stacking cubes, and measuring
strings around a classroom, then writing down what they've discovered
under the watchful eyes of senior volunteers. A boy is rearranging
buttons on a table: three sets of four, then four sets of three.
A volunteer encourages, guides, listens. The boy writes down
3 + 4 = 7, and excitedly begins arranging the buttons again.
Old math, new math, and now Math Their Way. Our senior volunteers
have experienced it all. The Math Their Way program assists
children in learning a wide range of mathematical concepts as
well as insuring knowledge of basic arithmetic skills.
The program is based on current research evaluating the most
effective ways to teach math to young children. It moves children
away from the traditional approach and allows them to become
actively involved with concrete materials. Children use ceramic
tiles, pattern blocks, unifix cubes, geoboards, mirrors, and
collections of objects. The program provides a strong math foundation
by using all student senses and avoiding rote computation.
The program allows for intergenerational experiences for students
while they work. It promotes interactive teaching, allowing
senior volunteers to get involved in monitoring the activities
and reinforcing mathematical concepts. Learning centers are
staged throughout the room with a variety of manipulatives and
activities. The activities vary from center to center, yet all
reinforce the same mathematical objective while students and
the senior volunteers establish positive interpersonal relationships
and have a fun and motivating learning experience.
Children are eager and enthusiastic participants. Throughout
the senior volunteers' visit the children are able to play a
variety of games. The skill of number recognition is reinforced
through three different games, Hand Game, Lift the Bowl, and
Peek Through the Wall. The volunteer assists the children with
the combination of addition and subtraction in an informal and
concrete way. The children often establish special relationships
with the volunteer and gain confidence from their learning successes.
Math Their Way is a motivating and inviting way to learn math.
Yet it can be time consuming and difficult to monitor for a
teacher. Fortunately, students and teachers are able to benefit
because the senior volunteers provide interaction, monitoring
and assessment, all of which are important to the success of
the program..
At Taylor Park School the intergenerational program is very
active. Throughout the week we have many volunteers assisting
in the learning process. Their involvement is invaluable. The
students and staff appreciate their commitment to our school
and thank them for making our educational program a success.
Contact Jody Ware, Principal, Taylor School, 501 East South
St., Freeport, IL 61032. 815-232-0306.
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2. Expanding Horizons: Math and
Science Conference for Girls
By Carol Benson, Illinois State University
Events that take students into a different environment can
help change their perceptions about math and science, increase
their personal expectations, and help them set personal goals.
More than 500 girls in grades 6 through 10 participated in
the first Expanding Your Horizons Through Math and Science Conference
at Illinois State University. The goals of the conference were
to encourage the girls to study math and science in high school
and to consider careers that would use those skills. Secondary
goals were to help them become aware of the careers in which
math and science skills are important and to provide them with
fun learning activities that incorporate math and science.
The conference consisted of one day on campus for the girls
and interested parents and teachers. There was a joint opening
session with a keynote speaker, followed by separate sessions
for the girls and adults. Approximately 120 adults attended
the parent-teacher session, where they heard women discuss college
planning, their own careers in math and science, the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy, and related topics.
Each girl attended a video session, "Women in Science,"
and a display area where they could talk with representatives
of university departments and professional organizations. Three
hands-on workshops were also provided.
Lunch at a dormitory helped them visualize themselves as the
college students they could become. At a brief closing ceremony,
awards were given to winners of the Mystery Women Contest. More
than 20 women of all ages were involved in planning the conference;
47 workshop leaders participated. The retired businesswomen
and teachers who participated reflected positive female roles
and positive images of aging. Older women could be involved
to a greater extent. A math and science conference could be
held on a small scale in many communities.
For more information, contact Carol Benson, Mathematics Dept.,
Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61761. (309) 438-8781.
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3. Bring Up Grades: Financial
Incentives from Business Leaders
By Frank McBride, Golden K Kiwanis Club of Decatur
The Bring Up Grades program provides a five dollar bill to
students who bring up their grades. Below is a memo written
to program participants.
To: All Golden K Coordinators, Principals, and Teachers Welcome
to "B. U. G.," and to most of you, "Welcome back!"
Most of you are already familiar with the program but a few
are not, and who doesn't need a refresher? The main reason for
this program is to provide an incentive for underachieving students
to improve.
1. Principals should be contacted
by the Golden K coordinators about Nov. 1 and presented with
copies of this letter. Principals should do a selling job to
the teachers and pupils of the 5th and 6th grades, explaining
the rules. Principals should make copies of this letter for
each teacher involved.
2. To qualify for the BUG awards,
which consist of an appropriate badge, a certificate, and a
FIVE DOLLAR BILL, a pupil must bring up grades in three academic
subjects, while going down in none. These must be full grades,
for example: D to C or C plus to B plus. Bringing up a C minus
to C would NOT qualify.
After a pupil has earned the B.U.G award, he or she may again
qualify by bringing up one more grade (while going down in none),
and a star will be added to the certificate and another $5 will
be awarded.
There have been a few cases of pupils bringing up the required
number of grades but disqualifying themselves by going down
in other subjects. They may qualify by bringing up the damaging
grade to its previous level, while going down in none.
3. Disregard any deportment or effort
grades. Only academic subjects are used. The first
awards will be made ASAP after the next grade period that ends
Jan. 17, 1992. The teachers will need to get that information
to the principal ASAP and the principal will turn over the list
to the Golden K coordinator.
4. We hope the teachers will display
the certificates until the final day of school, when
the pupil may take the certificate home. We strongly recommend
that principals post the names of winners in prominent locations.
When the program ends, the principal and Golden K member should
arrange an appropriate ceremony.
Thanks for your cooperation!
For more information, contact Frank McBride, administrator
of B.U.G. program, at (217) 877-2887.
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4. Sharing Math Fun: An 'Employment
Agency' for Tutoring
By Lynda McGrath, Forest Park Community Education
Council
The Sharing Math Fun Through Tutoring program, now in its third
year, operates in a manner similar to an employment agency.
Interviews are important, and proper placement is an integral
part of the process. Approximately 10 senior citizens give from
one to 15 hours per week in kindergarten through eighth grade
classes to assist students with their studies.
I created the program because of the obvious advantages to
both young and old offered by their interaction, such as increased
self-esteem, combating age segregation in society, and one-on-one
attention.
The program addresses many of the national education goals.
It stresses math and science, encourages student achievement
and high school completion, builds up lifelong learning for
the adults, and provides personal assistance to students having
difficulty, thus creating safer schools. It enriches those skills
that are so important to the foundations of further learning.
For more information, contact Lynda McGrath, Intergenerational
Coordinator, Forest Park Community Education Council, 543 Hannah
Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130. (708) 366-6945.
Adding Buttons and Beans
by Judy Ware, Foster Grandparent Program, State Community College
Luella Metcalf, a foster grandparent at the Catholic Day Care
Head Start, plays the number game with her young charges. They
pair the numbers with dots and add buttons and beans. Mrs. Metcalf
has participated in the Foster Grandparent program for 2 1/2
years. She says that children are an inspiration to her life
because they keep her from feeling lonely. For example, one
of the little boys helps her down the stairs and says, "Grandma,
I'm going to tale care of you." Mrs. Metcalf says "He
is always there to help me."
Graduation day is always the most memorable for the children.
"It's a joy to see them get their first diploma and experience
the success of finishing. My prayer and desire is to see them
continue in school. Being a Foster Grandparent means everything
to me. It gives my life a purpose and reason."
Foster grandparents are women and men over 60 who spend 20
hours a week with children in schools, and other non-profit
and community organizations. It is one component of ACTION,
the national volunteer agency.
For more information, contact Judy Ware, Director, Foster Grandparent
Program, State Community College, 601 Thompson Blvd., East St.
Louis, IL 60171, (618) 583-2542.
"Achieving world class performance in mathematics in our
nation's youth requires support from all generations: students'
output, parents' support, and societal awareness of the importance
of mathematics. Such intergenerational cooperation in funding,
providing, and participating in a quality educational program
is the source of our nation's continued strength in an ever
increasing technologically oriented world." John A. Dossey,
Chairman Illinois Mathematics Coalition Illinois State University
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