What makes a math class with Ms. Lisa different?
Yes, learning math under the boughs of a majestic banyan tree is pretty great. But that’s not what sets our math classes apart.
The difference is, at Farm School students don’t just learn math.
We learn the science of learning and the art of being an excellent student.
Farm School math alumni will tell you that, yes, they learned A LOT of math, but what they are most excited about is they learned how their brain works so they know how to recall what they’ve studied. This is the science of learning.
And they also learned how to take notes that are helpful on a quiz, how to organize a notebook so it’s a useful study tool, how study for different kinds of exams and more. This is the art of learning.
The Science of Learning
I explicitly teach students what the latest research teaches us about how our brains learn and retain new information. I model and provide student opportunities for students to practice these techniques so they can learn more effectively.
The Art of Being an Excellent Student
Knowing how to organize one's work on the paper so that one’s notes are actually useful is a learned skill. As is maintaining an organized notebook, pacing one’s homework completion throughout the week, annotating class notes to check for understanding and identify comprehension gaps, and applying different strategies for different types of tests. This helps students not only learn but earn the grade they want in a class. At some point in their education that will matter.
This class is structured to reward EFFORT. Students learn that anyone can master math. Mastery comes from diligent effort and recognizing that errors are learning opportunities! Students learn that butterflies before a quiz is your body’s stress response marshalling resources and that such stress can enhance one’s performance. This growth mindset and stress-can-be-performance-enhancing mindset together sets student up for success in math and beyond.
Honestly, these two things — knowing how to apply the science of learning and developing the habits of mind and work which are the hallmarks of a successful student— are arguably more important that the math they learn here at Farm School on Mt. Helix!