Sunday, August 23, 2009

Multiple Intelligences

On Friday, all of my students took a assessment, identifying their learning strenghts in multiple intelligences. There are said to be eight ways in which students best learn or process new information, a concept that was introduced by Howard Gardner in 1983.

Here are the results across all of my classes and students. The percentages indicate what percent of students identified themselves as having that particular learning style/intelligence on their assessment.

As you can see, the majority of students learn best when physical body movement (kinesthetics) are included in a learning activity. Interpersonal learning (working with others) and visual/spatial learning were also indicated.

I then compared the male and female populations of my students to see which styles were more often designated by each group.

It is evident that the male students posses more logical, kinesthetic, and natural learning styles than the female students in my classes, and that the female students are stronger in the areas of verbal, visual, musical, and interpersonal learning.

I believe this data is a fairly accurate picture of most high school students, though there are many exceptions. This information helps me in planning lessons and creating activities that will add relevance and true learning for my students.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Recycle Races 2009

Here is the final tournament race video for the end of the year project.

CLICK HERE to visit the official Recycle Races page, with car photos, standings, rankings, and tournament brackets.


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Power of U

Power of U is the incentive system we use in all of my classes. It comes from the idea that every student has the exponential power to make our class a success. This system focuses on respect, responsibility, and effort.



Studends receive 'power cards' for making good choices and doing what they need to do with a good attitude. We hold weekly drawings, in which power cards are drawn and students win prizes, such as gift cards to buy items from the student store, The Spot.

Fox Trot Comics

Some of my favorite math related comic strips.





Which coaster is your favorite?