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Bette Fetter

Directed Drawing and Art Skills for Children: The Most Beautiful Headdress

Art is a critical component of education as well as a means of self-expression. Directed drawing, the process of step by step drawing instruction, is one component of art instruction and essential for building confidence and art skills. However, participation in directed drawing classes also helps develop observation skills, attention to detail, fine motor and organizational skills, as well as a strong visual vocabulary. These skills require time, patience and repetition to allow the child’s hands catch up to what the eyes can see.

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Family Fun: Holiday Winter Activities

Frantic is an understatement when it comes to our Holiday schedules. By the time we remember what the holidays are supposed to be about…they’re over. Because we certainly don’t want to add another item on your holiday “how-am-I-going-to-get-this-all-done” list, here are a few activities that may check off a couple of items in one sitting…

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Math and Children: The Chocolate Math Story

I have shared lots of stories and strategies for teaching visual kids, but even adult learners need things to be more visual. Here’s a story about my time in a college statistics class, overwhelmed by the language and computation, until it became more visual.

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The Mind Research Institute: Teaching Math Without Words

This morning I was looking on line to see what kind of things are being done in elementary schools, to teach math visually and came across this video; Teaching Math Without Words: A Visual Approach to Learning Math Through Software.

In the video Dr. Matthew Peterson shares some great insights on why the current language heavy approach to teaching math is not working, especially for children that learn visually and conceptually. In answer to these challenges, their group, The Mind Research Institute has developed math-learning software to use in the classroom and is yielding impressive results. This video includes examples of their software – which I must admit – move way too fast for me to fully grasp. But when seeing the children working and discussing, in front of their computers, the programs seem to move at a pace that invites engagement and understanding.

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Art and Academics: A Matched Set

Art has long been perceived as a fun activity, with little academic impact or value in an educational system focused on literacy and test scores. Because of this misconception, art programs across the country are being eliminated in staggering numbers. While the cuts may help the bottom line, our students are paying the price. Research has proven time and time again, that art is essential to academic success, and many of our children can’t learn without it.

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