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A Penny for Your Thoughts

As the second week of the spring semester came to a close here at Saint Michael's College, I had the pleasure of taking on an interesting task during one of my work study shifts.

I'm fortunate enough to work as the Undergraduate Office Assistant for the college's Education Department. Members of the Ed. Department, both students and teachers alike, are always busy managing different projects and assignments. One project from before my time at the college-- a small section of the department's corridor displaying different math skills by arranging pennies into sample problems on the wall-- has survived the test of time (save a few pennies or so).


        

Preparing for the coming Admissions Open houses, I was asked to replace any of the pennies that had fallen off of the wall, as well as any explanatory signs that had been torn or otherwise damaged. While I was going through the different math problems to see where pennies were missing, I discovered a few things: 1.) My math teachers weren't kidding when they said I'd need all those multiplication techniques after I graduated, and 2.) The Penny Wall is full of strategies for teaching math that make a subject many students find intimidating easily attainable.

Looking at the wide variety of math techniques, I started thinking about my future classroom. What sort of strategies can I develop for my future students of social studies? History can be told with visuals-- like movies, diagrams, and artwork-- but how can I display techniques for memory, writing, and cause and effect?

Of course, I know that I will learn about strategies for teaching history in the near future. But, I also know that it is never too early to start developing my own techniques to share with students. The Penny Wall is a great way to help visual learners understand abstract mathematical concepts. I look forward to discovering how I can teach strategies for social studies that will cater to the needs of my future students. Does anyone have suggestions for social studies strategies? Comment below!

Comments

  1. mbFebruary 4, 2018 at 4:02 AM

    POW! Send this to classmates who are history majors!

    ReplyDelete

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