RSS Feed
|
||||||||||||||
|
Canarsie High School Takes Math To A Higher Level Math has been taken to a higher level in Canarsie High School. Students not only do standard math problems, but are also encouraged to apply their math skills to life. One means in which the school on Rockaway Parkway implements that strategy is through a math magazine. The magazine is formulated in early May by the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus class, after the students take the AP exam, and is published by The Association of Teachers of Mathematics of New York City and distributed citywide. They create it using a theme. Examples of themes from previous years include classical math, math in careers and current topics that relate to math, such as stocks and gas prices. The expected theme of next year’s magazine is 21st century math. The magazine will entail the use of math in technology, such as the Internet. The magazine consists of articles connected to the theme, as well as math-related advice sections, games, puzzles and horoscopes called “mathascopes.” Dr. Celeste Reyes, the school’s AP Calculus teacher for the last five years, writes a poem for the project that includes a memorable characteristic about each student in the class. Students not enrolled in the AP class are also encouraged to write articles. Reyes explained that the magazine has benefited students because “it serves as a memento of high school and the unique AP class. The students also learn about teamwork, meeting deadlines, and building good work ethics. It also helps them see Math as something more than just doing problems.” Charity Saunders, an alumnus of the Class of 2006, who was awarded the MathMovesU scholarship, sponsored by the Raytheon Company, wrote about her experience working on the math magazine in her winning essay in which she wrote: “This was a great experience for me and my classmates. Not only did we work as a team to complete this magazine, but we were also able to have fun and learn all about math in the process.” Students who participate in this magazine are given the opportunity to not only share their knowledge, but also learn diligence, teamwork, communication skills and how to apply what they learn to everyday life.
|
for larger version       |
|||||||||||||
