Category: Education

Math provides us with a vocabulary for solving math issues that are distinct from English. It may appear strange to some students who are not used to thinking in this manner because of its exact rules, order, and logic. Students may broaden their views, acquire strength, and improve problem-solving abilities by learning about the world through mathematics.

Teachers must ensure that they are not teaching their students the language of mathematics but rather showing them how it connects to other aspects of life in order to inspire them to approach mathematical problems with common sense.

A culturally responsive math lesson is one that is meant to be comprehensible by students from various backgrounds and cultural identities. As a result, the syllabus must be accepted by the vast majority of students. Through the use of numerous methods and adaptable teaching approaches, the teacher may ensure that the material delivered in a class is not only comprehensible to all students but also keeps their attention.

Making math culturally responsive starts in the classroom.

A culturally responsive mathematics classroom stresses the most effective approaches for middle school students to think about and solve mathematical tasks. Teachers educate their students about their own culture in order for the math to be culturally responsive. It’s critical that they understand cultural differences and how to deal with them, as well as know how to make students who are different from them feel included.

Teachers are not required to be cultural experts. They merely need a basic grasp of each culture to make students feel at ease. With this practice, they help students learn how numbers, mathematics, geometry, and statistics are utilized in everyday interactions throughout many cultures and may even help them fix problems with their own families or friends.

Teachers incorporating culturally responsive teaching

Math is a universal language that is taught for a variety of goals, including assisting students in analyzing the world around them. When a teacher teaches mathematics in an abstract manner, it suffocates many of their students’ learning styles, making it difficult for them to grasp the relative strengths of mathematics.

By analyzing cultures and reflecting on them, teachers may develop culturally responsive lessons and teach their students how to apply mathematics. This entails learning how mathematics is practiced in various communities and then asking other members of those communities for assistance.

Teachers can also use culturally responsive teaching to enhance instruction and develop more demanding mathematical problems for special-needs students by addressing their barriers and adjustments.

Making a culturally relevant math task, for example, can require combining personal experiences and observations with research. The area of statistics includes culturally relevant mathematics, such as the study of variance in terms of religious views, cultural variety, and linguistic variation. In addition, while planning mathematics exercises for students, a culturally responsive teacher will consider aspects such as age, gender, and race.

Connecting mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios.

Mathematics is a very effective instrument, being a socially constructed activity. It may be used to answer a wide range of problems, from simple multiplication and addition to complicated calculus. Math ties us to our history, teaches us about ourselves, and influences our daily decisions.

Mathematical practices, on the other hand, are difficult to transmit from one culture to another, especially if students find specific topics, like Algebra, intimidating to begin with. Making them understand the parallels and distinctions between mathematics and other cultural activities such as cooking, dressing up, or fellowship is one method for mathematics to become culturally responsive to them.

Unfortunately, some teachers may occasionally simply show students a PowerPoint and allow them to examine the figures on their own, but this is not culturally relevant education. They should provide students the opportunity to engage in more in-depth learning by asking them how mathematics applies to real-world circumstances, such as counting money or reading time. Students improve their mathematical knowledge by making real-world connections and interacting with other people of all ages.

Culturally relevant math tasks

Mathematics becomes culturally responsive when it includes culturally relevant tasks that allow students to learn from their family and friends. Students may develop their own unique perspective on the subject they are learning and how they should apply it in the classroom by studying from a cultural background.

From our cellphones and laptops to clocks, calendars, and calculators, mathematics is all around us. As a result, teachers must teach mathematics in the context of other disciplines so that students may better comprehend how the subject applies to their daily lives, and students must be able to see how mathematics affects their everyday lives.

According to Progidy Game, culturally relevant mathematics tasks may be incorporated into cultural festivals, and because various countries and cultures have fireworks festivals, you might teach how to calculate speed using fireworks in sample questions.

Introduce students to a diverse group of mathematicians

It is critical in today’s environment for children to be exposed to a diverse group of mathematicians. If the instructor is matched with students based on their cultural backgrounds, and everyday learning experience can make mathematical lessons culturally responsive.

Students have diverse mathematical competencies and abilities depending on their cultural origins; thus, by putting this notion into reality, the teacher may introduce students from various cultural backgrounds to an advanced topic in mathematics. This method will benefit them in better comprehending the nature of mathematics and its applications in every day life, as well as fostering a more advanced mindset toward conceptualization and problem-solving skills.

In a multicultural society, it is essential to understand that everyone comes from various origins and has distinct life experiences. When constructing mathematics education for diverse student populations, such considerations must be taken into account.

Mathematics is a requirement for human survival. To study mathematics, one must first comprehend and appreciate the subject as a whole. People learn mathematics in a variety of ways, and these methods represent personal narratives of mathematical learning. The goal is to gain a better knowledge of how different people engage in the learning process and respond to other learning tasks.

It was a typical day in kindergarten. The sun shone in through the window, the children were laughing and talking as they worked on their art projects, and the teacher was droning on about something or other. But this wasn’t any ordinary kindergarten class. This was an experimental classroom where the children were taught how to be creative. And it was working!

The students in this class were always coming up with new and interesting art projects. They would use whatever materials they could find, including recycled materials, to create their masterpieces. And they loved doing it!

Your child will have a blast completing these 9 art projects, which are also educational! By the end of kindergarten, they’ll be sure to have developed many skills.

Here are 9 of the best kindergarten art projects that your child will love:

1. Marbleizing paste

Marbling is one of my favorite art projects for kindergarteners. You can do it every week!

Marbleizing is making pretty patterns from powdered paint. There are many different ways to do this project, so you can find something fun that works with your class’s learning style.

This activity requires very little instruction, which makes it great for beginners. This article gives an idea of how to set up the room for this activity.

You will need small bowls of water and calcium powder mixed in them to prepare the plaster. Then, you would put the ceramic tiles in the bowl and mix more water and calcium hydroxide until smooth.

After the mixture has dried overnight, you can use a chisel or cutter to carve the design into each tile. Lastly, wash the tiles and add a glaze if needed.

These painted marbleized tiles can be used in a variety of ways. You can use them to decorate walls or placemats. They can also make cool decorations for doorways or as clip-on bookends.

2. Sugar water experiment

Do you know what happens when you drop something really heavy into a glass of water? The object makes a little splash!

That’s because there are only around 1-2 pounds (about 0.45 kg) of pressure acting on that water surface. Pressing your finger onto the surface of a glass of water is how you feel the force pulling at your fingertip.

When you drop things in, it can make the water move more quickly, which creates bigger splashes. Or sometimes pieces break off the thing dropping so fast that the piece tears through the water.

How can we use this idea to help kids learn about shape? By having them drop different items into a cup of water!

Here are some ideas for this activity :

Have the children choose one or two shapes to try their hands at making. Then have them go back to the lab and explore another way to create a smaller splash with those shapes.  This is an example of how kids learn science while creating art.

3. Mixing paint

This is an easy art project that can be done with children of different ages. You will need to purchase some supplies, so the total cost is relatively low.

This project involves the use of colors, shapes, and lines. It also requires no special materials or equipment. So what you are getting for your money is not just the price of the paint but the time you save by doing it at home instead of going to the store.

For young kids who love painting, this is a do-it-yourself kind of project. They will enjoy exploring new ways to mix colorings and see how different people have suggested different methods.

More advanced students may learn something from this too. By learning about why certain colors mix in specific ways, they can build on their knowledge when they move on to higher grades.

Furthermore, since this project uses two common types of paints, there’s a good chance they already have them around the house. No buying necessary!

4. Making sock cakes

This is an easy craft that you can do with your children to start the school year. And it’s also a project that can be completed in just one afternoon!

Sock cakes are an ancient Japanese art form, which consist of stacking layers of colorful socks and icing to create a cake.

This tradition began as a way for kids to learn how to count by moving objects around and emphasizing their role as food producers – like making choices about what they eat. Plus, it’s fun to make something unique and delicious using things that people don’t typically use.

5. Paste wrapping

This art project is perfect for beginners because there’s not too much preparation required. You will need paste, newspaper, and a mold to make the shape of your choice.

Once you have these materials, just put them together in this way. The children had a lot of fun playing with different types of shapes and sticking them onto the paper.

Some toddlers preferred placing the object first before applying the glue, others loved creating their designs. Either way, everyone enjoyed putting all the pieces together after it was dry.

6. Candles melting experiments

Do you know how candles are made? You can try your hand at making some of them using simple, accessible ingredients like wax, baking soda, and salt.

For this experiment, you’ll need to start with plain white candle wax. Look for wax online or in stores that sell craft supplies.

You can also purchase special-purpose waxes, such as tea light (sage) wax or colored wax pads for creating color effects. These wicks would be better choices if you were doing an educational activity with children.

This is an easy one! All you have to do is melt some water in a glass bowl. Then, sprinkle paraffin wax into the water gradually until everything melts evenly.

Once all the material is fused, put it upside down in the oven. It should pull away easily once it’s done. 🙂

There are several possible explanations for why solid objects might change shape when heated. The best explanation is that molten plastic releases internal stress and resumes its original form, which is what usually happens.

7. Letting rainfall on the canvas

This art project is very simple but also fun. You will need paint, water, paper, and some pots to put in the container.

Let the children choose which color they want their pot to be. Then, get two jars and fill one with water. Ask the child what colors of paints he/she would like to use.

Paint the jar with red paint and then add yellow paint to make it orange. Repeat this for as many colors as you feel comfortable.

Then, ask the child to grab an empty glass or mason jar and let them pour whatever color they want into it. They can mix all the colors or just leave each color alone separately in its jar.

When the kids are finished putting everything away, give them a box to place the smaller jars inside that will hold them while they decide what to do next. It helps keep track of how much stuff they have and sets a good example for recycling.

Once they’ve decided where they want these colors, bring out the bigger jars and have the children blend all the colors until you end up with only one color.

Ask the children why they made such a choice and wait for someone to explain it to them. Probably there was a reason they chose this color over the others!

8. Use newspaper to make soil

Start with some hard-boiled eggshells (for older children) or beans (2–4 years old). Add any desired herb including sea salt.

Then, melt some butter in a small bowl for younger children, or just add water for older children.

Mix all ingredients until you get a very smooth substance that resembles chocolate pudding. This is your soapy mud.

Next, let the kids decide what they want their garden to look like. Does it resemble wood? Or concrete? Give each child a square of paper and consider packing material, grass cuttings, dried fruit, flowers, etc.

Have them mix up whatever looks good to them. Don’t worry about perfection because parents will be picking up supplies after lesson two, anyway!

9. Bucket of paint to make art

For your students to understand that art is all around them, there are many opportunities during the school year to create artistic designs. One example is using buckets of watercolor or natural materials such as sand, dirt, cement, etc.

These supplies can be expensive, so check online for cheap deals.

Supplies you will need are a bucket, egg carton (or something similar), a clean glass jar, a label, a small stick/cherry, markers, and coloring books. It’s great if they are age-appropriate because kids have fun with stickers in colors that mean something special to them.

First, get some blank labels from the drugstore or office supply store. Some good ideas include name, address, phone number, or even email.

Put up one label per page after writing a line item below it explaining what the label means and who it belongs to. For instance; “ write me an essay of no more than 1 page describing our topic and illustrating how math is relevant to it.”

Next, put up posters asking people to help keep pens sharp and scissors nice and tidy by putting paper on both ends of the tray when doing their homework.

Let children know that these are very important tools that they should use whenever they work at home or go back to school. This way, they respect the effort others have made to get everything done nicely.

About the Author:

Amy has a wealth of parenting experience, from when she was an expectant mother to now being the parent of both a teenager and a preschooler. Her blog AmyandRose is aimed at simplifying life for new parents as they navigate their way through parenthood while balancing other aspects of life.

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Is your child ready for Kindergarten?  Learn why preschool is good for your child.

Online jobs in teaching are now more popular than ever, thanks to the world’s shift to working from home and e-learning. Plus, the tempting idea of becoming a digital nomad and the flexibility it allows make online teaching no longer just a lucrative side-hustle but a possible primary source of income.

Due to its wide availability, many people who may not have considered teaching as a profession in the past are now looking into online jobs in teaching. However, like any regular job that has its perks, it also has some drawbacks.

Before we begin, here are some resources to help you find online teaching jobs.

Remote Online Teaching Jobs

• 10 Companies That Hire for Online Teaching Jobs
• Colleges and Education Companies That Hire for Online Professor Jobs
• What Is an Online Teacher Job, and How to Land One
• Success Stories: 11 Teachers Who Found Online Teaching Jobs
• What Are Online Tutoring Jobs? How to Become a Tutor Online
• Companies That Hire for Remote Entry-Level Teaching Jobs

Now, to help you decide if online jobs in teaching is for you, we’ll discuss both the pros and the cons.

The Perks of Teaching Online

1. Work from anywhere

One of the best parts of any online job is that you aren’t anchored to a desk in a fixed location. As long as you have a reliable device and internet connection, you can work from wherever you are in the world.

This flexibility is especially beneficial for parents with young children or those who like to travel — no need to worry about limited leaves!

2. Meet and connect with people from all over the world

If you decide to teach English or any other language, your students will likely be from other countries. Online teaching companies will connect you with students from countries in Asia, South America, Europe, and other parts of the world.

The opportunity to meet people from all over the globe from the comforts of your home is a fantastic experience that not many jobs can offer. Not only do you get to teach someone a new skill, but you are also able to learn about new cultures.

3. Minimal requirements

Unlike in-person teaching jobs in schools, most online teaching companies don’t require a degree in education or a teaching license to apply. While most will require some credentials, such as the Teaching English as a Second Language (TEFL) certificate, this is something that you can apply for online.

Some companies don’t even require prior experience or any certifications. As long as you’re proficient in the language or subject you’d like to teach, you’re qualified to apply.

4. Structure and lessons plans are usually provided

The hardest part of traditional teaching jobs is the task of preparing lesson plans and syllabi for your students. Thankfully, most online teaching companies provide all the material you need. This is especially helpful because your students will have varying levels of competency, and having to tailor lesson plans for each individual can get taxing.

5. Class sizes are controlled

Handling more than a handful of kids can get highly stressful, especially in an online setting. You don’t have to worry about classroom management as most online teaching classes are conducted in small groups or are one-on-one. For any teacher who’s tried to teach in a traditional crowded classroom, this is a dream come true.

In a small group or one-on-one setting, each student can get the attention they need, and you don’t have to worry about anyone falling behind. You can structure your lessons based on what your students are interested in to ensure they are always engaged.

Search Here for Online Jobs in Teaching

The Cons of Teaching Online

No doubt there are plenty of positives to finding an online job in teaching.  Flexibility creates a unique lifestyle that most people envy, especially if they don’t like their current job or profession. Finding an online job as a teacher can also a way to bridge the gap between contracts, even for a short period of time. We’ve explored the pros, not let’s look at the cons.

Teaching online is not for everyone.  You may be in search regular teaching job or teaching assistant jobs that are available in your current location or a place you would be willing to move to. If you are currently satisfied with your teaching job in the classroom, you’ll want to explore the downsides of teaching online before making the switch.

1. Technical difficulties are inevitable

No internet connection will ever be 100% stable. Not to mention, you can never really predict when your gadgets will decide to act up.

Having an online teaching job will mean you always have to have backup plans. Do you have a portable internet device in handy?

You also can’t scrimp on gadgets because they will affect your ability to do your job competently. Investing in a fast internet provider, a reliable laptop or computer, good-quality headsets, and microphones are non-negotiable.

2 Less Stability and security

It might sound wonderful to have the freedom to choose your schedule and workload, but you also lose the comforts of having a stable salary in your desire to earn money as a teacher online. Even if you have regular students, most of them are on a pay-per-class basis, which means that they can decide to drop your class at any time.

As an online teacher, you don’t get benefits like paid leaves, retirement, or insurance, so you have to work on getting those all on your own.

3. There’s still nothing like in-person interactions

Working remotely and being stuck at home all day can get lonely — no matter how much you like it. In fact, research shows that full-time remote work has increased loneliness by 67%. If you’re not mindful of how much time you spend working alone and indoors, loneliness can creep up on you unexpectedly. Knowing this, you need to make a conscious effort to meet other people and find time for in-person conversations.

Another important factor of work at home alone is the potential loss of effective communication between parents and teachers, which is enough of a challenge in a traditional teaching role.

4. Not much opportunity for career growth

Online jobs in teaching may get you a decent paycheck but unlike full-time office jobs that offer you a clear career path and opportunity for promotions, you can’t expect the same while teaching online. At most, you can get a pay-per-hour increase, but there’s a cap to that.

If you’re someone who is looking to advance in your profession, online teaching might not be for you.

5. Too much screen time is never good

As it is, you probably already spend hours scrolling through the internet. Teaching online will only add to your hours spent staring at a computer screen. Too much screentime could lead to eye problems, back and neck strains, and even sleep deprivation.

Is Online Teaching For You?

Online teaching is an exciting opportunity that’s become widely available. If teaching is your passion and you prefer the autonomy and flexibility of working from home, then you should definitely consider applying online. However, before you go all in, it’s important to be aware of its downsides.

If you currently have a teaching job, including SEN teaching assistant jobs, you may not have to choose between your traditional teaching position and an online one. Depending on your schedule, there may be opportunities to supplement your income if time allows for you to have an online teaching job on the side. This can often happen when teaching ESL to students in a different time zone.

Like any job — remote or in-person — it’s not going to be perfect. The best thing about online teaching? Most companies won’t require contracts. You can try a few classes to get a feel of the experience. If you want to balance it with other jobs, you can teach part-time. If you decide it’s not for you, you can search for something new in no time at all.

Remote Work in Education

If you are not a teacher but an educator with administrative skills, it’s also possible to find remote employment for schools and school boards seeking flexible remote workers.  These types of teacher related positions come with benefits, such as the ability to work part time with no commute costs and other expenses related to traditional work in an office.  Find Organizations That Hire for Remote Higher Ed Jobs.

Additional Resources:  

• Connect with Companies that Hire for Remote Teaching Jobs

Connect on Social Media

• Follow for Remote Education Resources and Online Teaching Jobs on LinkedIn and Twitter

For many expatriate families who are living abroad, the choice of sending their children to an international school that offers boarding services is more of a necessity than a preference. This is especially true in the case of families whose parents must frequently travel to other countries for extended periods.

If they can count on a boarding school that can readily accommodate their children during their absence, then these parents will be able to travel with peace of mind. Meanwhile, the students staying in their school’s boarding facilities have every chance they need to pick up the following important lessons:

Independence and Responsibility

One of the first lessons that children pick up when they start living away from home is a sense of independence and responsibility. Being in Singapore makes this a little easier since the boarding facilities that schools in the city-state offer or use are subject to guidelines and regulations, even down to their location. These facilities are often near supermarkethttps://www.safesearchkids.com/4-lessons-your-child-can-learn-while-studying-away-from-home/s, convenience stores, bookshops, clinics, and other important amenities that students will need, and many are equipped with laundry units and other common utilities.

That said, to make the most of their stay in a boarding facility, students must be self-motivated, independent, and responsible for their own actions. They must be able to set aside enough time and energy to do their chores, attend to their academic requirements, and pursue their interests in their own initiative. Otherwise, they will have to deal with the natural consequences of their action or inaction.

Resourcefulness and Self-Reliance

Students who are living in a boarding facility are far from being all on their own. To ensure the safety and well-being of the students in a hostel or dormitory, most schools employ a team that will directly address administrative, housekeeping, and disciplinary matters. Students can always approach the people in charge if they are facing challenges that would require the input of a responsible adult.

Still, there are times when students must be able to resolve practical issues in their everyday accommodations by themselves. Such instances can help them think outside the box and maximize the use of the resources that are readily available to them. If a student finds that they don’t have enough time to do their chores and to engage in their favorite pastime within a limited timeframe, for example, they can come up with a compromise or a solution to this issue all on their own instead of relying on other people to handle their chores for them.

Self-Awareness and a Sense of Community

More than just a place for resting and relaxing, a student hostel is a small community. Depending on the rules that they follow, a student may have a room of their own or share their lodging with 2 or more students. Staying in the same room with people of different backgrounds and personalities can be an eye-opening experience. It will make students more aware of their standards and closely analyze what seems normal to them. Perhaps, one student may have higher standards for hygiene and cleanliness compared to others, or a student may have the need to socialize more than the others in the room.

Such differences can cause conflict at times, but they can also inspire the students to think deeply about the habits they’ve picked up over the years and how they can improve as individuals. They may also feel empowered to draw on the strength they have gained from their parents when they were younger.   Overcoming these issues can also help improve a student’s communication skills, understanding, and patience. These skills, in turn, will enable them to foster a community in their second home.

Appreciation for What They Have

It’s easy to ignore and disregard privileges and opportunities when everything you want and need is within easy access. Children, having grown up in a house where everything they need is taken care of by their parents or guardians sometimes have a hard time being appreciative of the relationship that they share with their family members and the comfort that they enjoy while living in their homes.

A stay in a student hostel or dormitory away from their family can help children appreciate their parents and siblings better. Once they understand the level of work that needs to be done just so they can enjoy the quality of life that they are used to, children will be able to appreciate their family members more, and they’ll also be able to hold in higher regard the comfort that they derive from living at home.

It can be nerve-wracking to send your children to live and study far from the place that they identify as their home. At the same time, though, it’s also a great opportunity for your children to develop a sense of independence and responsibility that will continue to benefit them as they face bigger challenges later in life.

Staying in a safe and secure environment where they have easy access to their basic needs will give young learners the space they need to identify their strengths and weaknesses. It can also help them determine when they actually need assistance from others while also allowing them to learn how to live harmoniously as part of a community.

Read about the importance of building good study habits in early childhood.