Let kids learn how fun Hebrew day school can be at RHA
Issue link: https://rhacademy.uberflip.com/i/664639
Math: An Interview with Cherie Sachar Cherie Sachar has been teaching math and science to RHA's middle school for the past 28 years. She believes students learn more deeply when they explore the concepts themselves and with their peers. At the same time, Mrs. Sachar is an unequivocal proponent of a structured curriculum that builds a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Her units differ from the pack because they combine best practice with dynamic components that demand critical thinking and creativity. Her approach works: RHA students not only win big in the international Caribou math contest year after year, they also excel in high school math and science. Why do RHA students do so well in math? The way we teach math gives students an understanding of the material, rather than just a way to follow rote steps. For example, if we are teaching students to find the circumference of a circle, we don't just give them the formula. We first do hands-on exploration to understand how the formula was created. It helps them when they solve problems because they have a deeper understanding of the concept. It's about moving from the concrete to the abstract. I also adapt teaching to the needs of students and cater to different kinds of learners. If a student doesn't grasp a concept, I won't re-teach it in the same way. I'll approach it from a different perspective. Do the skills students learn at RHA transfer to high school and beyond? We know what students are expected to know in grade nine and we prepare them for it. We are very serious about making sure our students transition well. We conduct research every year to find out how high school students are doing. The feedback from both students and parents indicate they are exceptionally well prepared for math after leaving RHA. How do you inspire students? The most important aspect is recognizing that a cookie-cutter approach won't work. Students who have natural talent do advanced work. For others, I make each of them feel they can do it. Guidance, praise and encouragement are essential. In the end, students actually love math, even the ones who have a harder time. They feel engaged in the learning process and feel comfortable asking for help. I think it's important to make math relevant to everyday, and to make it fun. So I always try to include an activity that ties into the unit. For example, the grade eight class designed a stained glass window for the entrance of a new museum. The window had to be made using circles, polygons and composite shapes. Once the design was complete the students created formulas to calculate the size of the shapes on their blueprint for future production. This reinforced their knowledge of perimeter, circumference and area formulas. And it showed them how they could apply math to a real life situation. The students loved it! Is math changing? Is teaching math changing? Basic concepts have to be learned in order to have a mastery of the topic. That's not new. But everything else is. Students have become explorers and the teacher has moved from the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side."