When I tell people I am a math teacher I tend to receive the same sentiment every time: “I am so glad I never have to take a math class again” and “I hate math”. I sympathize. Even engineers and other science professionals struggle with math. This will inevitably persist because math is a difficult and abstract subject, but the majority of the reaction people have to math is the way that it is taught.
Ever have to memorize the times tables? Do you remember around 4th or 5th grade when you had to take a timed test showing your proficiency in multiplication? The feeling of anxiety and fear are probably already creeping up. The bottom line is that standard pedagogical practices such as this teach students that math is to be memorized by rote, and it is to be done quickly, without thinking. I am a math teacher and I honestly do not have the times tables memorized. I know the threes, fives, tens, elevens, and the perfect squares. From this I can derive every multiple up to 13 times 13. Take 9*6, that is 9*5 +9, 54. It has been shown that the most high achieving math students minimize the amount that they memorize by using strategies such as this. Many books encourage students to believe that memorization and short problem solving is the way that math really is.
That is why this year NRA chose to overhaul it’s math curriculum. We chose a curriculum entitled cpm: College Preparatory Math. There are two fundamentally diametrically opposed approaches to teaching math. One is where the students are told math, and asked to repeat it. In the other students are given problems that require them to problem solve and in some way recreate math themselves. Each has it’s advantages, telling students math is very fast, and can lead students to be able to solve a variety of problems efficiently and accurately. Having students problem solve leads them to develop a general approach to solving problems, they are more self reliant and can be more critical of their own methods and strategies. CPM strikes a balance between these two extremes, students are asked to solve problems that are challenging and often wordy(much like real life problems). When the students get stuck the instructor can fill in gaps in knowledge to move them forward with their thinking and approach.
CPM has been shown to be effective through research and multiple studies. You can read the research and philosophical basis for the curriculum here. The main issues with this curriculum is that students have less procedural proficiency and they tend to cover fewer topics. This tends to happen because students cover each topic in further depth, giving students a better chance at retention. Does anyone remember what the law of sines is now? That is probably due to the fact that you were asked to learn it and then tested on it five days later, never to return to it. That is not the case with CPM. CPM has a review and preview section at the end of every lesson where students practice past and future concepts for homework.
So far this curriculum has been very successful with the students. We have done a number of group presentations, projects, and experiments. I wouldn’t set the goal of math to be for every student to love math, but a good gauge is how well people understand the math, and the effort that they are willing to put into solving a problem . Every student has shown improvement in there understanding of number relationships, functions, and graphs. They also tend to spend more time working independently to answer their own questions before asking the teacher(self-sufficiency will be key in later academic life). This I believe is math success, students who are willing to spend time solving problems, and change their strategies when they are not successful(pliability in problem solving), and are constantly evaluating their own processes to come up with better ones.
To finish up our time in West Virginia we took a day off to learn about ropes and knots. This ropes and knots safety day was lead by two highly qualified safety experts: Moose and Logan. They taught us about many different kinds of knots, systems, and practical uses for these systems. We started off the day with some simple knots such as the figure 8 followthrough, bowline, anchor, water knot, prusik, and double fishermans. A variety of these knots are necessary to any safety system that you will put together. One of the big systems we learned and practiced was the Z-drag. The Z-drag provides a mechanical advantage of three times, so you can do three times the work with the same amount of effort. To make a Z-drag you need an anchor, two biners, three prusiks, and a rope. You attach one end of the rope to the thing you are trying to move (boat?) and then you attach the rope to a biner that is attached to the anchor. Then you take the rope back towards the boat and attach a prusick to the rope attached to the boat and then the new end of the rope, making a V shape (half of the Z). After that you attach another biner to the end of the V and go back in the direction of the anchor, completing the Z. Some of the others things that we learned were how to use a car as an anchor, how to tie someone into a body board, and how to lift someone from a canyon. All of these skills will be very useful when we go to Chile because we will be in many canyons while paddling. A big thanks to Moose and Logan for spending the day with us and making the course so fun!
Learning and practicing some basic knots.
A prime example of an anchor for a Z-drag.
Moose demonstrating how to use a PFD as a harness.
Ziggy being lowered down a cliff by his classmates.
The small town of Fayetteville is a hotspot for outdoor lovers of all kinds, from whitewater kayakers to base jumpers. Like any other town, Fayetteville has signature locations, people, and even signs. These are things that people who have been to Fayetteville before would instantly recognize if they saw them.
For this photo assignment my goal was to capture some of these special locations in Fayetteville through photograph. I used different photographing techniques such as interesting angles, framing, leading the eye, and the use of colours to make photos of the town interesting. I captured to the best of my ability the essence of the town by taking photos capable of telling stories all around the town of Fayetteville.
New River Gorge Bride emerging from the fog early in the morning.
New River Gorge capturing the early morning clouds.
A popular destination for kayakers. Can you recognize the house?
This way to the park.
A gas station in Fayetteville.
Can you tell where you are on the main street in Fayetteville?
Anyone who has partied in Fayetteville has partied at Charlie's.
These friendly robots are found all over Fayetteville.
Here is a short video made by Jacob Slobodian in New River Academy Video class. The requirements for this project were to include timelapses, text animation, and interviews.
So, this is the spanish translated section of the blog Errik and I have been working on in Spanish 4. Check out his blog for the english translation of it.
A llegar a la isla ‘Hairy Lemon’, tu tienes conducir en un autobus y pasar todos los ninos Africanos. Son reyendo a ti con dientas grandes y blancas. Duepues, la calle termina al rio y lamas para un barcito te llevas a la isla. Tu pones todos tus equipajes para remamos a la isla. Depues, tu llegas a la playa. Tu ves la cocina y mesas para comer. cuando nosotros llegamos lo y nosotros comemos almuerzo como un buffet. Tu puedes ver arboles tropicales y monos saltando de arbol y arbol. Cuando tu caminas de la cocina, primero que ver es el lugar de chill con sillas, hammocks, y sofas. Camina mas y verias las cabanas y una playa. Si camina sobre la subida, tu puedes hacer un lugar para tu carpa. Tu quieres elenier un lugar debajo de un arbol. Despues, pones todos tus ropas surfear. Yo surfeo a lado de muchachos Africanos y ninos en las piedras. Tu puedes tirar trucos imendros. Depues, tu vuelves y poner ropas altos y DEET para protejer los mosquitos. Despues, tu comes cena cual es sopa y una otra comida. Despues cena, es tiempo para dormir.
I had been waiting for these ten days for a few years now. Before heading to the Claro everyone was very excited. I knew that the Claro offered beautiful clean waterfalls and committing whitewater canyons. The First day we paddled the Siete Tazas section. This was by far the most amazing stretch of rapids I have ever paddled. The Next day we paddled the Viente Dos Saltos, which means 22 waterfalls. This section started with the biggest vertical drop I have ever ran of 25 feet and this wasn’t even the big one. After styling that line I was feeling good and the entire group had a great run down yet another beautiful canyon. The Next day we paddled the Entre Saltos section that was more mellow but just as amazing.
While at the Claro a large group of students wanted to run Garganta Del Diablo, which means throat of the devil. No one knew whether or not we could get on this section. It is by far the most committing class V canyon on the Claro. One night at dinner with much anticipation of running the canyon Tino stood up and gave us the news. Yes! We were able to run it. Even with this great news the room was silent and everyone started to realize that their dream of this rapid would come true. I was put in the second group, which meant I had to video and watch the first group drop in. The day between the first group and my group was the longest day of my life. I had to sit and listen to every detail about the canyon.
The night before was not filled with much sleep. We woke up and had a half-day of school. We then had to wait four hours so we could have the best light for photographs and video. To get to Garganta we had to paddle the entre section. I can honestly say that I was petrified while we did the Entre Saltos section. After the last drop on Entre Saltos was the first drop into the Garganta section. After that you are committed to the 2-mile canyon.
Once the group dropped in I was no longer scared since there was no way of escaping. We paddled to the Lip of Garganta. Dave, Tino, and Lorenzo went first. It was now my time. I paddled over the lip staring into the throat of the devil and plunged down the biggest rapid I have ever paddled. At the bottom we all celebrated and everyone was safe and ready for the rest of the canyon. The canyon is by far the most amazing place I will ever go on this planet and I feel privileged to know that only kayakers will ever get to see this place. The Rio Claro has been the ten best days of my life!
Jacob Slobodian above Garganta Photo Cred Mackenzie Hatcher
Jacob Slobodian On Gargante Del Diablo Photo Cred Mackenzie Hatcher
Jacob Slobodian Boofing on Viente Dos Saltos Photo cred Tino Specht
Jacob Slobodian slack lining on the Rio Claro Photo cred Tino Specht
Germans started coming to Chile as early as the 1800’s. This was because the minister, Vincent Perez Rosales, talked to a friend who during that time was Chilean Consul in Hamburg, Germany. His recommendation was to invite Germans who were already in an emigration mood to move to places in Chile that resembled their homes. The quantity of Germans coming to Chile was more important to the officials than the quality of them. They didn’t care too much about them being skilled at anything because most people willing to emigrate our in poor conditions or going through some strife in their own country. The first place they settled was in the Llanquihue lake.
The settling of all these Germans went so well in 1846 that another group was asked to emigrate in 1848. Most of them were very willing because of possibility of starting a new life overseas. They were mostly craftsmen of many fields and university graduates consisting of beer-brewers, tanners, furniture makers, pharmacists, professors and scientific investigators. In 1852, Deutsche Player Maiten, Volcan and Puerto Octay and later the next year they settled in Puerto Montt, Llanquihue, Frutillar and Puerto Varas. They eventually moved as far south as the Biobio/Tolten area and into cities such as, Valparaiso, Santiago, Temuco, Conception, Ancud and Magellanes. Germans had to work hard then setting themselves up in that wilderness society but after awhile they became very respected members of Chilean community.
As you all know a new year at New River Academy has begun! This means tons of information being thrown at you its all necessary and some of it definitely is more interesting than others. One piece of information NRA gives all us students is a good, well-rounded education on river safety. This is important for everyone here so if anything does arise we are all prepared and on how to deal with the situation at hand. We have exercises created by Tino and Lorenzo that are fun but also very helpful in honing our safety skills. All these exercises also help us build trust with one another too, to know we can rely on our peers when we need help no matter what it may be.
Everyday a week we have a morning workout devoted to safety and the beginning of an afternoon workout for it too. The most recent ones have involved river communication and all of NRA’s river signals. This lesson makes sure everyone is on the same page and can communicate through a rapid well to point out holes and hazards even if we cannot hear one another. This is especially useful when we start running all the beautiful rivers of Chile.
We also have had multiple activities working on accuracy and quickness with our throw ropes. We’ll have people a good distance away walk across in front of our lineup while one person tries to get their throw rope to them. If they get that first person, the “throw roper” will then have to quickly recoil and save the other “swimmer” walking past.
As part of NRA’s safety, when we are on the river we are required to always have 2 extra things. One thing is everyone must have a throw rope on them anytime we are on the river. Even if you exit your boat you must keep your rope on you. If you are caught without it when we’re out and about on the river you’ll have to do 25 pushups. This is instilling that into our minds that we need to have that with us always. The other thing is everyone needs to have foot wear. There are too many rocks everywhere that we don’t know about that it’s just a good precaution to preserve our feet.
So as you can see, Tino and Lorenzo are making sure to keep us all safe on the river. They’re giving us all the knowledge we need to know and helping us become better safer boaters.
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This is a photo essay. Basically a compilation of photos that share a basic theme. My photo essay details our journey through this year, starting in Ottawa first quarter, and ending in West Virginia. I tried to end each section with a night photo, but that was a little difficult. I would like to point out that even though the last shot is not of anyone in our group I feel it describes how we as a group are.
This amazing year is finally coming to a close, its so hard to believe we’ve made it through these 9 months so quickly. There have been the good times, the weird times, and the downright terrible times. But, we still all love each other to death. Basically, we’ve become like a big family. We’ve had so many fun experiences and adventures together in Chile, Canada, and the good ol’ USA. I’m pretty sure all the friendships everyone has made are ones that will last for a lifetime. I know that it has taken us to the end of the year to realize how much has actually happened. When I look back I realize how much knowledge I have actually gained and how much I’ve grown throughout this whole year. Actually, it’s pretty interesting to look at the portraits I took first quarter and compare them to the young adults we have here now. You can definitely see a big change, teens now ready to take on the world.
I remember when we first all arrived in Chile, this new location for everyone, even the most seasoned traveler out of us all, Matti. All our eyes wide with excitement just soaking in all the hustle and bustle from the airport. We hadn’t even reached the outside yet and we were already so giddy for this new adventure. After that it was us learning our way around a totally different country, speaking a totally different language. The first time we were in Chile the language barrier was definitely a struggle for all of us. But, the next quarter when we arrived the group was prepped and ready. We seemed like pro’s navigating around the city, getting the meal or ice cream we wanted, and finding the laundromat.
I think one of my peers that has grown the most is Zoe. I remember when she first arrived at the school second quarter, she was introverted and always questioned herself. Oh, but how that did change! If you look at this lovely girl now she’s extroverted, bright, and has gained so much independence. She does what she wants and never second guesses herself anymore. Its amazing how much confidence she gained in herself and it’s all because of her time here. I think she’s pretty proud of all the knowledge she’s gained here too.
Many of us have also gained more knowledge and confidence about ourselves through our year or semester here. This school definitely helps you grow no matter how set in your ways, or sure of yourself you are. I’m so thankful of the time I’ve spent here this year with this group of people and all the knowledge I’ve gained. I would’ve never had anything of this impacting stature otherwise. “And that has made all the difference…”
