Cubing

As you may be aware there are many different types of learners. I consider myself to be a "hands on" or kinesthetic learner. Therefore, I like to find techniques that help to allow me to explore this type of learning. One fun learning tool I have come across is Cubing. This technique involves a student literally making a cube out of paper or cardboard and writing about a topic on each of the six sides.

Examples of topics for the six sides of the cube are:

Describing: What are the characteristics?
Comparing: What is it similar to or different from?
Associating: What does it make you think of?
Analyzing: Tell how it is made or what it is composed of.
Translating: What can you do with it? How is it used?
Arguing: Take a stand list reasons for supporting it.

Using this in a science classroom works very well to send a topic home. Check out my example for use with "acid rain"

Describing: Rain with low pH balance
Comparing: Similar to regular rain but different because of acid levels.
Associating: Pollution
Analyzing: Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur combine with water, forming acids (nitric acid and sulfuric acid)
Translating: It destroys building and is bad for plant and animal life
Arguing: Acid rain is harmful to the environment.


There are tons of templates on google images for making a cube, here's how to do it:

Go to google.com/images
Type in "make a cube"
Copy one of the images you find to paint or a word document. Enlarge and print out as many copies as you need for your class... simple as that! You can use this for any class or any topic and make them as simple or complex as you want.

The process of making the cube really helps kinesthetic learners such as myself. The creation of the cube itself can help put the topic deep in our long term memories.

Thanks for reading,
Mr. Nappen

Not all hacking is bad!

So your district doesn't allow you to shell out 3 grand for a smart board... you're totally out of luck, right? Not according to Johnny Lee a tech researcher. He's figured out a way to turn a $40 Wii remote a computer and some free software into some pretty amazing stuff... check out this YouTube video.

Video Games Rule.

I find it interesting how discussions about education sometimes place blame on video games. Video games could be one of our greatest assets in the fight against illiteracy. Innovations such as the Leap Frog gaming system, a hand held device that allows children to play educational games with popular media icons (Shrek, Spiderman, Disney Princesses, etc.) are very positive. This gaming device teaches children math and reading without them even knowing it. If we start children on these types of devices when they are interested in gaming, we can help improve their skills at the same time. The main issue with games is proper monitoring by parents.

We have to realize that no matter what, our children are going to want to play games, and it is up to us to know what our child is playing. My generation was raised with gaming. I have a feeling that when I am a parent, playing games with my child will be a part of our life. The difference is, I will put the subtitles on games and will limit their use if they are non educational.

Recently I purchased an iPad, and it has got me back into reading for fun. I enjoy the accessibility of reading on the go what I want when I want. The future of literacy is in technology and specifically electronics. We need to embrace this change and use it to our advantage, not be scared and place blame where it is not warranted.

Thanks for Reading!
Mr. Nappen