Richmond High School Math proFISHency Hats
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S WORLD
This project started with a discussion among East Bay Knitters (EBK), a great group of knitters who meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at K2TOG from 5-9PM. You are always welcome to join in.
An East Bay Knitters (EBK) member and math teacher at Richmond High School (CA) shared with EBK members her desire for her students to do well on the state-mandated math tests. She was searching for ways to make the students take it seriously and increase their motivation. She shared about wearing a very fun fish hat she knit and wore during class which her students admired.
EBK members suggested that she offer her students a challenge - if they do well on the test they will get their own handknit fish hat. EBK members offered to divide the knitting, allowing a large number of students to take her up on the challenge.
When the teacher went to her principal with the idea, she got a wonderful response. This is turning into a school-wide project that is inspiring everyone! The teacher wrote this to members of EBK:
"The environment in my classroom is beginning to change. Some of my nastiest students have begun to soften considerably. One of my girls has even requested an autograph from us on her hat if she wins one. This activity puts an entirely different spin on this NCLB STAR testing. Instead of just pressuring teachers to produce test scores, I think we're finally getting the students and the community into the equation. Now, they will not just be taking another test....... they will try to win a unique hat made specially for them. I think it's great that my students are learning that there are wonderful people in the East Bay Knitters who care enough to put time into knitting these cool hats. I let my students know that knitting these things takes a considerable amount of time, so likewise, I expect them to put more time and attention into their study of mathematics."
You can participate in this project by:
Sending an email to info at k2togonline.com with the subject line of proFISHency, and let us know how to contact you.
We need 85 hats by the end of August!
Choose your own fish colors - we recommend clownfish colors (think of Nemo)
Use the knitty dead fish pattern and knit a great hat
Hats should be finished by August 31,2011 and can be sent or brought to K2TOG.There will be a proFISHency party at Richmond High School in September and you are invited to attend and meet the student you have supported to proFISHency! You do not need to attend EBK to participate in this project.
An East Bay Knitters (EBK) member and math teacher at Richmond High School (CA) shared with EBK members her desire for her students to do well on the state-mandated math tests. She was searching for ways to make the students take it seriously and increase their motivation. She shared about wearing a very fun fish hat she knit and wore during class which her students admired.
EBK members suggested that she offer her students a challenge - if they do well on the test they will get their own handknit fish hat. EBK members offered to divide the knitting, allowing a large number of students to take her up on the challenge.
When the teacher went to her principal with the idea, she got a wonderful response. This is turning into a school-wide project that is inspiring everyone! The teacher wrote this to members of EBK:
"The environment in my classroom is beginning to change. Some of my nastiest students have begun to soften considerably. One of my girls has even requested an autograph from us on her hat if she wins one. This activity puts an entirely different spin on this NCLB STAR testing. Instead of just pressuring teachers to produce test scores, I think we're finally getting the students and the community into the equation. Now, they will not just be taking another test....... they will try to win a unique hat made specially for them. I think it's great that my students are learning that there are wonderful people in the East Bay Knitters who care enough to put time into knitting these cool hats. I let my students know that knitting these things takes a considerable amount of time, so likewise, I expect them to put more time and attention into their study of mathematics."
You can participate in this project by:Sending an email to info at k2togonline.com with the subject line of proFISHency, and let us know how to contact you.
We need 85 hats by the end of August!
Choose your own fish colors - we recommend clownfish colors (think of Nemo)
Use the knitty dead fish pattern and knit a great hat
Hats should be finished by August 31,2011 and can be sent or brought to K2TOG.There will be a proFISHency party at Richmond High School in September and you are invited to attend and meet the student you have supported to proFISHency! You do not need to attend EBK to participate in this project.
