ODYSSEY LEARNING ADVENTURES
Presents
Creating Magical Moments in Math
Bob Bishop (The Math Magician) MEA-MFT Educators' Conference 2014
[email protected] www.odysseylearningadventures.com motivationalmagic.wordpress.com (208-921-7981) 1
Creating Magical Moments in Math Becoming a Mathematical Magician Mathematics is a science, the science of patterns and as all sciences, involves processes such as observation, discovery, experimentation, classification, hypothesis, inference, measurement, estimation and creativity. Magic is the art of performing discrepant acts with everyday items. Most magic is rooted in the use and sometimes the misuse of the process skills of mathematics and science. Learning to value mathematics is a primary goal of mathematics education. Students should be exposed to experiences that encourage them to value mathematics by providing opportunities to pose problems and advance hypotheses rather than just procedural skills. Fun active learning (doing) is essential for developing skills, processes and attitudes. Good teachers have long recognized that mathematics comes alive for students when it is learned through experiences they find interesting, meaningful and valuable. Educational magic is a method of bringing the learning of anything alive and especially mathematics and science. Children are generally fascinated with mathematics, science and magic and see these as something that they are capable of doing and also something they enjoy doing. Adults also enjoy the childhood simplicity of being fooled, knowing full well that there is a logical scientific or mathematical solution somewhere beneath the surface. Many similarities exist between the disciplines. Mathematical magic is simple to perform and does not require the use of extensive props. One can delight people of all ages whether in a classroom, in a public place, or traveling in an airplane. The only preparation needed is the practice necessary to perform the illusions. The primary success of any magic trick is the quality of the performance by the magician. The more one works with magic, with mathematics and with the illusions, the more one begins to see the wonder of the ordinary in the hands of a magician.
Introducing…………….
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1. Purpose
Ignites wonder and creativity Opportunities for student speaking Openers- to open a class Illustrators- as a metaphor for some concept or principle Clarifiers- to enhance a point Attention Getters- to focus or refocus attention Summarizers- to connect ideas together Participation Enhancers- as an activity for involvement Closures- to conclude a class or session An expert may not be the best teacher- a master magician may take too many things for granted when teaching how to do a magic trick. Knowing does not equal performing- most people feel they have mastered a magic trick when they find out the secret. However, theoretical understanding does not insure they can perform the trick. Integrated performance- an effective magical performance involves an integration of motor skills, interpersonal skills, cognitive skills, attitudes, and psychology. Learning style differences- teaching a magic trick involves teaching according to the students learning style. Learning curve- mastering a magic trick without errors can illustrate the typical learning curve. Analysis- to demonstrate analysis and classification procedures Limits of observation- magic illustrates there are many invisible elements to performance. Backward chaining - exploring the effect backwards, beginning with the last step and ending with the first, provides an effective tool for analysis. Creative thinking- inventing creative applications or stories for a magic trick. Critical thinking- using logic to figure out how an effect was achieved. Teamwork- groups can be used to figure out a trick or practice a trick. Teaching concepts in math and science
2. Problem Solving Identify the problem Analyze the problem Brainstorm possible answers Examine these possible answers Select the best solution Test the solution
3. Plot The sequence of events that organizes the trick into a routine and makes sense to the audience
4. Patter (the story) and the Magic Words Themes that interest the audience Telling a story that coordinates with the effect 3
5. Practicing Steps Mechanics (the sequence of the trick is m emorized) ________________________________________________________________________ Audience (the performer plays to the audience) ________________________________________________________________________ Pacing (the flow is smooth and not rushed) ________________________________________________________________________ Story (the story fits the trick and interests the audience) ________________________________________________________________________
6. Performance Evaluation (The Vacuum principle or how to take their breath away)
V-Is it Visual? (Entertaining to the eye with color, action, and interesting props) A- Is it Attractive? (Arousing curiosity) C - Is it Captivating? (Rivets attention) U - Is it Unexpected? (Surprise element) U - Is it Unique? (Original or fresh to the audience) M -Is it Multi-sensory? (Appealing to as many senses as possible) M - Is it Memorable? (Easy to understand, recall and d escribe)
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Learning Some Tricks That Teach Basic Principles:
Twisted Logic Arm Twister (K)not on My Rope (Learning the Ropes) Freaky Fingernails You are a Star!! Card Tricks:
Uncle Danny’s Card Trick Coincidence Countdown Number Tricks:
To the Nines Finger Figuring Unique Math Tricks:
Three Dice Magic Trick The Lie Detector 5
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America's Math Magician may be available for your School!
Math Magic Assembly Program!
Does your school need a boost in mathematics? Do your students need math motivation? Do your teachers need new ideas in math? Does your school need a memorable event for your math improvement goals?
"I have never seen my students more spellbound for 60 minutes as they were for Bob Bishop, the Math Magician. " "Great visual aids -- good audience participation." "Fast paced with a wealth of useful information."
There are still a few available dates to bring the Magic of Math to your school for the 2014-2015 school year!!
"How many love math now?" 7
Bob Bishop, America's Math Magician, is back with a newer, larger and more exciting program! The Math Magician motivates students to excel in math. He fuels students with a "can do" attitude and the importance of wonder. T he Math Magician weaves positive messages all throughout his presentations. Bill Roberts of the Idaho Statesman says, “Bob focuses on showing kids the fun ang les of math and helping students overcome “math-aphobia”.
M otivation for students to succeed in math A ttitude change in students for mathematics G uidance for teacher effectiveness and student improvement I nnovative teaching ideas C ompetency and confidence in mathematics Presents...
The Math Magician For more information and prices Contact The Math Magician at (208) 921-7981
[email protected] www.odysseylearningadventures.com Find the Math Magician on Facebook 8
