A Lesson in Fractions Begins Our Reality Based Learning Series on Mediacom Cable Channel 19

ou have no doubt harbored the thought while studying for a particularly critical math test, "When am I going to use this knowledge in the real world?" Teachers these days are trying to do a better job connecting the math lesson with real life. The truth is, math skills are part of one's career tool set. Take a chef, for instance. Yes, the culinary art is a very creative enterprise, but it's math that keeps recipes, tastes, wonderful restaurant experiences consistent so that customers can expect quality. It's math that controls portions, maintains operational profitability, and ensures a quality meal that tastes as expected. What better place to learn about fractions than in one of the most popular restaurants in Dubuque, the Olive Garden?

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This is precisely what Mrs. Schmit's fourth grade class considered when planning their lesson on fractions. And perhaps in the process, students would be able to partake in the Olive Garden's delicious food (uh... can we plan this field trip around noon?). Needless to say, the management and staff of Dubuque's Olive Garden were all too happy to help out in a pinch (make that a quarter teaspoon), and the manager, himself, Jason Haggerty, greeted the enthusiastic students at the door. Before long, the group was making their own pizzas.

Reality Math is designed to be a series of short television math lessons that show how math works in the world around us. We visit with businesses, professions, and virtually anyone who can teach us how math works to make their and our world go around.

The concept for the show grew from discussions with elementary math teachers engaged in the Math Trailblazers program that has been incorporated in our Dubuque Schools math curriculum for the last few years. The program stresses manipulatives, touch and feel to help reinforce otherwise abstract mathematical concepts. For example, students may build their own abacus to understand addition and subtraction of a series of numerical values. Little hands may plunge into a bucket of colorful buttons to determine averages, estimates. A geometry lesson may involve colorful puzzle pieces of simple shapes that combine to form new and more complex shapes. Or a classroom may tackle the seemingly impossible task of counting all the blades of grass on a football field using simple tools students make in class to actually accomplish this task.

Discussion among math teachers about the success of the program ultimately centered on parental support. Chris Nugent, math curriculum coordinator for the school district, convened math teachers to devise a plan with which they could help parents understand how math is actually taught in the classroom so that they can help their students with their homework. What about a video? District media developer, Gary Olsen, was called upon for his expertise.

"It's too big a job for one video," said Olsen a matter of factly. "This is something that should be ongoing, like a television series, the concept of which can be based on Math Trailblazer lessons but that doesn't try to cover too much ground all at one time. A creative and inventive math series is the solution, here, but the teachers must provide the opportunities for each TV lesson."

Reality Math was born, and the first lesson was conceived by Irving Elementary teacher, Julie Schmit. A student teacher in her class, Ms. Burris, consulted her husband who is on the cooking staff of the Olive Garden. "That could be a great place to do a math lesson." she reasoned, and asked her husband if he would actually do it. He agreed, and consulted his manager who also thought it was a good idea. Since chefs are always using math, and kids like to eat at the Olive Garden, now, every time they have a meal there or even see an Olive Garden commercial on television, they'll be thinking of fractions.

Stay tuned to this website for more Reality Math episodes. Production is ongoing. "The creative possibilities are endless," says Olsen. And we have an excellent stage on which to perform... Channel 19, our very own cable TV channel, thanks to Mediacom.