Robby Cherry's Page

How do kids learn? The same way anybody learns ... by making connections with their world. I believe the key word is "relevance". Whatever you want them to learn, make it relevant to THEIR world. So, first of all, you need to be very connected to their world (lifeworld). Where does what you want them to learn fit into their world? If it doesn't, don't expect high retention ... especially don't expect deep understanding. If it doesn't fit, is it necessary to teach it? Did you learn how to change a tire before you actually had to change a flat tire?

They take what is familiar to them and what you give them, and use it to construct new knowledge that is meaningful to their life. To enable this to happen they must also de-construct what they "know", let go of what was not quite correct, and re-construct what they are left with into "new knowledge".

Not every person learns the same way, and that is why it is so important to differentiate your lessons. The more hands-on, the better. Everybody seems to benefit from tactile experiences.

Making some math concepts relevant to everyday life is probably one of the major weaknesses of the subject. I'm still hanging out to factor a binomial equation in my daily life! Or, use the quadratic equation! I think kids have asked a legitimate question for many years, "Why do we have to learn this?" If the only answer you can come up with is "Because you will need it next year in your maths class", then maybe it should be put off until next year! Most math teachers I have worked with have not put much effort into finding connections between what they are teaching and the kid's lifeworld. If math is easy for them, they have a hard time working out why it is hard for the kid. They tend to teach the same way they were taught. Unfortunately, by finding the subject easy, they never had to really work to understand. So, they may not even be aware of the "little tricks" that would help their students.

Story problems are an attempt to make things relevant. But, how many kids ever really experienced what the story is asking them? Have you ever seen a teacher take their kids out to the track and start two kids walking opposite directions at 2 different speeds and seeing where they actually meet? And then making measurements and "creating" the math? Would that make more sense to the kids?

Finally, breaking maths up into geometry, algebra, etc, and only teaching one a year may not be the best way to approach the subject. In Australia, where I taught for over 20 years, almost every topic is taught every year. Each year the depth increases. I think the system has some merit. Would that lend itself to a more constructivist approach? And, involve scaffolding?

So, in summary (about time!), relevant, project based, hands-on, constructivist, differentiated, scaffolded lessons ... that's a start! ;-)

(Edit post below...)

If the particular concept we are teaching our students is discrete, algorithmic, then direct instruction seems like a better fit.

Interesting question, Robby. I am a fifth year high school math teacher and believe that both direct instruction and constructivism have their place in a quality classroom. Here's why:
If the particular concept we are teaching our students is discrete, algorithmic


In Cangelosi's book, "Teaching Mathematics in Secondary...," he talks about strategies for teaching algorithmic skills and different strategies for helping students construct concepts or develop relationships. Constructivist learning/teaching seems to fit better with the concepts and relationships where misunderstandings are frequent and students can be led to test and verify these ideas.

From the book, "Understanding by Design...", the authors state, "The question, then is not should I lecture? The question is always, Do I know when to lecture and when not to when understanding is the goal?..." (p. 245)

I hope this helps in your studies.

Robby- I was curious... I searched Laguna Niguel... it's a beautiful location. You should add some pictures to this site... also note on your hometown that it's CA. Some of us Yankees might not know. :-)

I love your page. Hello again, I was in the class "Jesus, the Master Teacher" with you. I believe that is the on going trend with this class. I hope that you are doing well!

Robbie- If you just want to invite someone to join Classroom 2.0 and be your colleague, there's an Invite Colleagues link on the left menu bar, below where it says Robby Cherry's Colleagues. If you want to invite someone to be a member of one of Classroom 2.0's groups, there's a green plus sign with the words Invite More People by it on the upper right of the group window, just to the left of your name.