Rebecca Zook - Math Tutoring Online

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Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Back-To-School Blastoff MATH PARTY: 3rd graders & up, together with Their Parents – Thurs 8/26 @ 1:30 Pm eastern (Virtual & FREE )

Wednesday, August 18th, 2021
From a recent math party – this is what learning math can feel like!!

Could your child use some help getting back into “math mode”?

Join us for our FREE, virtual back-to-school math blastoff party!

Thursday 8/26

@ 1:30 pm eastern time

Virtual (on Zoom – link emailed to you when you register)

FREE

for students in 3rd grade & up, together with their parents

(this is not a drop-off event)

Wear your favorite “thinking cap” (or any type of fun accessory that helps you think)

Set out a tasty snack

Bring your enthusiasm!

We will learn effective, fun ways

of making math magical

as we practice math together

and learn from each other!

So you and your child can feel more ready

and even more excited

to go back to school!

I am so excited to see you there!!! Let’s get ready, together!!

Sending you love,

REBECCA, the magical math unicorn

PS. Know someone who you think might want to join our party? After you register yourself, invite them to come, too — I’d love to meet your friends!!

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Math Unicorn Ice Cream Social, Wed July 14th at 5 pm eastern – FREE and Virtual – for 3rd graders & up, and their parents

Saturday, June 19th, 2021

Calling all math unicorns!

What do unicorns do during the summer?  

Well, first, they take a little break to rest, 

and then they use the secret compartment

of the summer 

as a portal 

to the magical realm of math mastery!

So come and join us for the first ever

MATH UNICORN 

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Wed 7/14 

@ 5 pm eastern

3rd graders & up and their parents

FREE

and VIRTUAL: on ZOOM!

Bring a friend,

bring your favorite ice cream,

bring a math problem!

And we will have fun 

practicing our summer math 

TOGETHER

WHILE SOCIALIZING

AND EATING ICE CREAM!

love,

REBECCA,

the professional math unicorn

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Plan Like a Unicorn: Summer Math Strategy Spectacular–Sun 6/6 @ 11 am eastern (FREE and virtual)

Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Has the last year of math been, shall we say, a bit of a nightmare?   

Do you wish summer math could be…magical, meaningful and joyful?

But how can you plan for summer math learning, when everything is constantly changing?

When you might feel like your child just got shafted out of a year and a half of math education?

When you might feel completely, utterly at a loss of how to help your child, after exhausting yourself, trying everything, during the pandemic?

That’s why I am going to share the secrets of how to plan like a unicorn.

And you’re invited!

WHAT: PLAN LIKE A UNICORN: SUMMER MATH STRATEGY SPECTACULAR

WHEN: Sunday, June 6th

@ 11 am-12 noon eastern 

WHO:  2nd-4th graders and their parents

WHERE: On zoom!

COST: FREE!


During our Summer Math Strategy Spectacular, you will: 

• Be guided through an interactive self-assessment process

• To create your own customized summer math learning plan that your child will actually embrace

• While discovering ways to make summer math effective and enjoyable!

• Plus, hone your math magic with us, 

practicing problems of your choice that you submit in advance.

 And, learn from each other, as students take turns 

getting one-on-one magical math guidance in front of the group

 all sprinkled with stories, songs, joyful movement, and meaningful interaction.

You will be on your way to having a new, better, DIFFERENT experience of math this summer—unicorn style. 

Put your best dress-up outfit, bring a scrumptious snack, and grab your most magical pencil!  I can’t wait to see you there!

Join us from WHEREVER you are — it’s on zoom!

I can’t wait to share this with you!

Sending you love,

REBECCA, the magical math unicorn

PS. Do you know someone you think might want to come to our party? Invite them to join us, too!

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Plan like a unicorn: summer math strategy spectacular — Wed 6/2 @ 5 pm eastern (FREE and virtual)

Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Has the last year of math been, shall we say, a bit of a nightmare?   

Do you wish summer math could be…magical, meaningful and joyful?

But how can you plan for summer math learning, when everything is constantly changing?

When you might feel like your child just got shafted out of a year and a half of math education?

When you might feel completely, utterly at a loss of how to help your child, after exhausting yourself, trying everything, during the pandemic?

That’s why I am going to share the secrets of how to plan like a unicorn.

And you’re invited!

WHAT: PLAN LIKE A UNICORN: SUMMER MATH STRATEGY SPECTACULAR

WHEN: Wednesday, June 2nd

@ 5-6 pm eastern

WHO: 2nd-4th graders and their parents

WHERE: On zoom!

COST: FREE!


During our Summer Math Strategy Spectacular, you will: 

• Be guided through an interactive self-assessment process

• To create your own customized summer math learning plan that your child will actually embrace

• While discovering ways to make summer math effective and enjoyable!

• Plus, hone your math magic with us, 

practicing problems of your choice that you submit in advance.

And, learn from each other, as students take turns 

getting one-on-one magical math guidance in front of the group

all sprinkled with stories, songs, joyful movement, and meaningful interaction.

You will be on your way to having a new, better, DIFFERENT experience of math this summer—unicorn style. 

Put your best dress-up outfit, bring a scrumptious snack, and grab your most magical pencil!  I can’t wait to see you there!

Join us from WHEREVER you are — it’s on zoom!

I can’t wait to share this with you!

Sending you love,

REBECCA, the magical math unicorn

PS. Do you know someone you think might want to come to our party? Invite them to join us, too!

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Free, virtual math Unicorn party: FULL MOON FRACTIONS, Wed 5/26 @ 4-5 pm eastern

Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Is your child struggling with fractions?

Do you feel like somehow, your child just lost a year and a half of math education due to COVID, even though they showed up for everything?

Are you tired of the gnawing feeling that your child is getting further and further behind, even if their classroom teacher is saying everything is “fine”?

This is what parents are telling me they’re going through right now.  

So I want to do something about it.  I want to help you!

And I want to do it — MATH UNICORN STYLE. 

So mark your calendar and get ready to FROLIC with FRACTIONS under the illumination of the FULL MOON!

WHAT: Full Moon Fractions

WHEN: Wed, May 26th

@4-5 pm Eastern

WHO: 2nd-4th graders and their parents

WHERE: On zoom!

COST: FREE

During our fraction party, you will:

—Discover secret tools to crack the mysteries of fractions—so they are CLEAR and MEANINGFUL.

—Hone your math magic with us, 

practicing fraction problems of your choice that you submit in advance.

Learn from each other, as students take turns 

getting one-on-one magical math guidance from me in front of the group.

And we will do it all in a unique, joyful, MAGICAL environment—

sprinkled with stories, singing, gleeful movement, and meaningful learning.

You’ll be on your way to confidently saying, “Fractions?  Let’s get crackin’!” as you toss your unicorn mane with confidence and flair!

Dress up in your best unicorn attire, bring a tasty snack, and sharpen your sparkliest pencil!  

Join us from WHEREVER you are — it’s on zoom!

Sending you love,

REBECCA,

the magical math unicorn

PS. Know someone you think might want to join our party? Invite them to join us!

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Word Problem? No problem! Come to our free Word Problem Tea Party, Sat, March 27th, 11 am-12 noon eastern!

Friday, March 5th, 2021
A screenshot from our last math tea party!

By popular demand: I will be co-hosting a special math tea party with Mrs. B (of Tea With Mrs. B), entirely devoted to the wild and wonderful world of WORD PROBLEMS!

WHAT: Word Problem Tea Party

FOR: Elementary-aged students and their parents to attend together

WHEN: Saturday, March 27th @ 11am-12 noon eastern

COST: FREE!

At our word problem tea party, you will:

–Discover secret tools that will help you confidently crack ANY word problem–even the ones that seem complicated, overwhelming, or totally confusing!

–Hone your math skills with us, practicing word problems of your choice that you submit in advance.

–Take turns getting one-on-one magical math guidance from me!

Parents will learn easy ways to communicate with your child about math and get to see excellent math communication skills being modeled. 

–We will do it all in a joyful tea party environment, sprinkled with Mrs. B’s signature whimsy, etiquette, and fun!

You’ll be on your way to confidently saying, “Word Problem? NO PROBLEM!” as you sip your tea with confidence and flair!

Just click here to register!

I can’t wait to see you there!!

Sending you love,

REBECCA, 

the magical math unicorn


PS. And please share with anyone who you sense could use this support!

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Magical Math Tea Party, Sat 1/23 @ 10-11 am Eastern

Thursday, January 14th, 2021

Do you wish you could magically start the new year off right with math? 

Come and join me and kids-etiquette-legend Mrs. B for a FREE virtual math lesson and tea time!

This is a special event for elementary school aged students and their parents to attend together.

We will unveil the secrets of making math magical so you and your child can have a new, different, BETTER experience with math in 2021.  

You will learn simple, effective, fun tools that can be used on any problem, at any grade level.

We will practice applying these tools together, choosing from problems you send to us in advance, and participants will take turns getting help on their specific problems.

Brew your favorite tea and don your most festive party hat!

WHAT: Magical Math Tea Party

FOR: Elementary-aged students and their parents to attend together

WHEN: Saturday 1/23 @ 10-11 am eastern

COST: FREE

Click HERE to register!

I can’t wait to see you there!!

Sending you love,

REBECCA

PS. And please share with anyone who you sense could use this support! I’ve been making math magical online since 2009 and I know how to do it in a way that is effective, fun, and energizing. So come and join us!

NOTE: While I work with students from 1st through 12th grade in my one-on-one math tutoring programs, this event is for elementary school students and their parents.

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Confused about fractions? Visualize brownies, not pizzas

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Pizzas. They’re the best way to represent fractions, right? Everyone has seen a pizza. Everyone knows you can slice a pizza different ways. When you need to visually represent fractions, pizzas are the go-to metaphor, right?

Well, that’s what I thought until I tried using pizzas to teach equivalent fractions. Sure, it’s easy to use a pizza to represent quarters, sixths, eighths. Thirds aren’t even too bad.

But just try dividing a circle into five equal pieces. Or seven. Or ten. Even though I’m a grown-up and a professional math educator, it’s really hard for me to consistently do this.

And as for showing visually how two fifths equals four tenths? Unless I do an impossibly immaculate job of dividing those pizzas into pieces, forget about it.

DSCN0716
Are they really the same?

Fortunately, I’ve found a much better way to represent fractions visually: the Math-U-See fraction overlays. If we’re going to use a food metaphor, they’re flat and square, like brownies from a square pan.

And like brownies, they are much easier to slice evenly than pizzas. In fact, because they’re reusable transparent overlays, you don’t even have to draw (or slice) anything. You just arrange them on top of each other.

Check it:

DSCN0717

Awwww, yeah! Those fractions are DEFINITELY equivalent!

You can use the overlays to represent basic fractions with divisors from two through seven, or combine multiple overlays to build other denominators.

Not only do they make it really easy to see how equivalent fractions work, but using them is way easier than drawing pizzas and hoping the slices come out even.

The fraction overlays make the concepts extremely clear, and because they’re tactile, visual, and kinesthetic, they make fractions feel like a game instead of work. Whenever I’ve used them with my students, either in person or during online tutoring sessions with a webcam, they’ve react the same way: “This is fun!”

Now that’s how I want my students to feel about fractions!

Related Posts:
Doing fractions “In Chinese”?!
The best algebra book in the world?
Gallon man to the rescue!
Five fun ways to help your kids learn math this summer

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

Gallon man to the rescue!

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Do you need a way to remember unit conversion effortlessly and forever? Or just a way to calculate how many cups there are in a gallon?

Here’s how to figure it out. Draw a gallon man!

First, draw a really big capital G. (This is the gallon.)
2010-06-01_1305

Inside the G, draw four big Qs. (These are the quarts.)
2010-06-01_1307

Inside each Q, draw two Ps. (These are the pints.)
2010-06-01_1308

Inside each P, draw two cs. (These are the cups.)
2010-06-01_1309

For the final flourish, draw an arrow to one of the cs and write “8 ounces.” (There are eight ounces in every cup.)
2010-06-01_1310

When one of my students, a fifth grader, taught me about Gallon Man, I thought, I wish I had learned about this in fifth grade! My entire life, I’ve had to look up each of the conversions and never really internalized how they all fit together.

Since I’ve been introduced to Gallon Man, I’ve gleefully shared him with a fourth grade tutoring student (online), a friend who is a professional organic farmer (in person), innocent bystanders (at a restaurant), and most recently, my Mom (over the phone…”first, draw a really big G…”)!

They’ve all found Gallon Man helpful. Responses have included: “Can I take that drawing home with me?”, “Oh…I get it!”, and “I’m going to hold onto this.”

Gallon Man is totally visual and works for many learning styles. You can SEE how many quarts are INSIDE a gallon. Gallon Man is intuitive for all grade levels (unlike dimensional analysis, you don’t have to worry about the numerators or denominators). Gallon Man is practical. You can use it in your kitchen or in the grocery store. Gallon Man is easy to remember. And Gallon Man is fun to draw!

Gallon Man has recently gotten some airtime from other math bloggers, including Sam J Shah, who pointed out that it really helped him to see someone drawing Gallon Man. Here’s Sam’s post and video.

Yay for mnemonic devices!

*Are you looking for an online math tutor who uses multisensory methods? I’d love to help! Give me a call at 617-888-0160 to discuss your situation.

*Visiting from the Math Teachers at Play Carnival (Adventure Edition)? Welcome, I’m glad to see you here! Below are a few other posts you might enjoy!

Related posts:

Tips for how to help your kid with their math homework
Doing Fractions “In Chinese”?!
An easy way to remember how logarithmic notation works
Case study: a homeschooler prepares for the SAT

Posts Tagged as "fourth grade"

When learning feels like a forced march

Friday, February 12th, 2010

I recently posted about how external rewards can destroy children’s intrinsic motivation, and noted that my participation in Pizza Hut’s read-a-book-get-a-pizza program, “Book It,” did not interfere with my extremely strong intrinsic motivation to read.

However, what actually did come close to killing my intrinsic motivation to read was the crushing required reading lists I had during my first three semesters of college. This experience turned reading from something I loved doing to something to just be endured.

For example, in my first semester of college, I took a required course on the Epic in Western Literature. My amazing teacher taught with great passion, drawing on her experience both as a poet and a scholar fluent in multiple languages.

She was the only professor I had in my undergraduate career who incorporated the arts into an academic class. In addition to our analytical essays, everyone also completed an art project of their own design inspired by what we’d read. My art project, a cello piece based on text from the Aeneid, actually ended up growing into a much larger piece after the class was over.

Despite my teacher’s exceptional amazingness, this class almost caused me to lose my love of reading. I experienced the course as a forced march through the great works of Western literature. In one semester we plowed right through the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid, Paradise Lost, and Dante’s Inferno. I read it all, but I rarely enjoyed it, and I almost lost my love of reading.

At the end of the year, I actually told one of my friends that I “didn’t like books” anymore. This is coming from a kid who inhaled literature out of sheer pleasure my entire life until I got to college.

What happened? When I had been inhaling books before, they were all books I chose freely. And I moved at my own pace. But I definitely couldn’t choose what I was reading in this course. The course itself was required. And moreover, I felt there was no time to understand anything or connect to anything.

In retrospect, it reminds me of the trips I made to the National Gallery of Art when I was in fourth grade. My teacher tried to cram as much as possible into each trip—upon entering a new room, she’d instruct us to stand by our favorite painting before purposefully marching on into the next room. At the end of the trip, she would proudly exclaim, “We saw so much art!”

I’m sure her intention was to cultivate a love of the arts in her students, but even though I loved art before and after those trips, I don’t remember anything about the art I saw on those fourth grade trips.

I feel like a work of art can be like meeting a person. There’s so much to be revealed. But what is the point of speed-dating artworks? What do you really learn from speedwalking through galleries or speed-reading through epics?

I believe the point is not exposure, but connection. If we read something but don’t connect to it and don’t remember it, does it even matter? The one bit of the Aeneid that I do remember is the piece of text I used in my art project. I spent so much time setting it to music that now it’s part of who I am.

Once, while visiting a small art museum in DC, I stumbled across a Miró painting I never dreamed I’d see in person, and I was so happy that I actually laughed out loud. The museum guard glared at me—I guess for breaking the silence of the deserted gallery. In my heart, I thought Miró would have been glad I was excited to see him.

I think the whole point is that a piece of art will pierce your heart and help you feel less alone, and move you to laughter and tears.

I wish we were encouraged to digest things more, and had enough time with what we’re learning to get to know it and let it affect us.

Related Posts:
Praise and Intrinsic Motivation–an answer?
On Stickers
“Simple, but not easy.”