Encouraging Girls in Math and Science

Although there is a general perception that men do better than women in math and science, researchers have found that the differences between women’s and men’s math- and science-related abilities and choices are much more subtle and complex than a simple “men are better than women in math and science." The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) has found that to encourage girls in math and science we need to:

• understand their beliefs about their abilities in these areas
• find a way to spark and maintain greater interest in these topics
• build skills that are related to other interest areas

Students’ choices to pursue careers in math and science reflect multiple influences that accumulate over time. In general, researchers have found that girls and women have less confidence in their math abilities than males do and that from early adolescence, girls show less interest in math or science careers. Women are less involved in career paths and post-secondary education in some areas of math and science than men. This pattern starts at school.The IES has identified practices that elementary, middle, and high school teachers can implement during instruction that they believe would increase the likelihood that girls and women will not prematurely decide that careers in math and science are not for them.

National Center for Education Research and the Institute of Education Sciences have published a Practice Guide, published on WestEd's website, that explores what can teachers do to encourage girls to choose career paths in math- and science-related fields. The report presents five research-based instructional and feedback strategies for teachers at all grade levels:

• Teach that abilities are expandable
• Provide prescriptive, informational feedback
• Show students female role models
• Spark curiosity
• Teach spatial skills

Pepper has released a new workshop focused on Strategies to Engage Girls in Math and Science as part of it’s new Pepper Online Workshop (POW!) content. By taking this workshop you will explore strategies for keeping girls engaged in courses of study related to Math and Science. Participants will be guided through the process of developing a plan for actively motivating and maintaining girl’s interest in Math and Science. You can check all of our new POW content by visiting the Courses and Workshops section on your dashboard.

Brain-Based Learning: Understanding How Students Learn

According to the Glossary of Education Reform, Brain-based learning refers to “teaching methods, lesson designs, and school programs that are based on the latest scientific research about how the brain learns, including such factors as cognitive development—how students learn differently as they age, grow, and mature socially, emotionally, and cognitively.” 

Edutopia’s publication, “Six Tips for Brain-Based Learning” gives educators a place to start understanding brain-based teaching and learning in classrooms. When educators understand how the brain works, they are better prepared to assist students with learning in the classroom. Brain-based learning, which is based on knowledge of neurology, psychology, and technology, promises to help students “with everything from focusing attention to increasing retention.” An educator with an understanding of this information can engage learners and create deeper learning opportunities in the classroom. 

Many teachers know - and are using - brain-based learning even if they don’t realize it. When using activating strategies to stimulate prior knowledge, they are strengthening connections in the brain. Tools such as graphic organizers, songs, and rhymes, which appeal to different learning styles, also fall into the category of brain-based learning.

The “six tips” that Edutopia offers are provided to give teachers a jumping off point for utilizing brain-based learning in the classroom.

• Tip #1 - Create a Safe Climate for Learning - Making a classroom environment warm and inviting allows a child to feel safe and may relieve anxiety. This type climate encourages social and emotional learning. 
• Tip #2 - Encourage a Growth Mind-Set - Many liken the brain to a muscle that gets stronger with use. The act of ongoing learning can build brainpower. A growth mind-set means that knowledge, or IQ, isn’t set at a young age, but can be developed. Understanding this can motivate and encourage students. 
• Tip #3 - Emphasize Feedback - The use of a variety of formative assessments helps to keep student learning on track. Many consider ongoing, consistent feedback to be essential to brain-based learning.
• Tip #4 - Get Bodies and Brains in Gear - ”Exercise boosts brainpower. Cardio activity increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain and increases students’ ability to concentrate.”
• Tip #5 - Start Early - Early childhood education gets a student's brain active at a younger age, thus making them more ready to learn by the time they enter kindergarten. 
• Tip #6 - Embrace the Power of Novelty - “Surprise and novelty are the attention-grabbers. In the classroom, this means that changing routines, asking students to consider similarities and differences, field trips, and guest visitors all help to keep learning fresh.”

Brain-based learning isn’t a new concept, but it does help us understand how students learn. If we better understand how students learn, we can teach in a way that will help them gain new knowledge and understanding.
Our wide variety of Pepper course offerings give plenty of opportunity for teachers to apply brain-based learning concepts to their classrooms. Check out our Pepper Courses today!
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Preparing Students for the Future: College and Career Readiness

College and Career Readiness means that all high school students should graduate ready for college, careers, and citizenship. Preparing our students for the future has become a number one priority for the the K-12 and higher education community. Achieve, a nonprofit education reform organization, states, “With the growing complexity of the world and the increasing demands of the 21st-century workforce, there is little question that all students should graduate from high school fully prepared for college AND careers.” However, the challenge of ensuring that all students are “college and career ready” encompasses more than just rigorous academics. More support systems are necessary to help students meet individual goals. Not all students learn the same way and many face academic challenges that require assistance. While mastering language arts and math skills and standards are important, they’re not the only thing needed to ensure success. Students need life skills and problem solving capabilities, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with others.  

The National High School Center, a USDOE grant funded initiative, developed an organizer to guide schools and other educational organizations meet the needs of students. The use of the organizer allows users to develop strategies for designing comprehensive college and career readiness initiatives. The College and Career Development Organizer has three categories:

• Goals and Expectations for College and Career Readiness: What should high school graduates know and be able to do?
• Pathways and Supports for College and Career Preparation: What policies, programs, and structures will help high school graduates meet expectations?
• Outcomes and Measures for College and Career Success: How do we know when high school graduates meet expectations?

According to Achieve, “Simply put, "college and career readiness" is the umbrella under which many education and workforce policies, programs and initiatives thrive. From high-quality early education and strong, foundational standards in elementary school to rigorous career and technical education programs and college completion goals, college and career readiness is the unifying agenda across the P-20 education pipeline.”
Your Pepper learning community can help you effectively implement College and Career Readiness Standards. Pepper provides 24/7 online access to a vibrant and growing series of relevant professional development courses. These courses and resources provide collaborative support from other inspiring educators. Be sure to check out our wide range of courses available to you.

College and Career Readiness--Ensuring Students' Success in the Future!

College and Career Readiness (CCR) is an enormously important part of the Common Core State Standards. As an educator, it can be difficult at times to find creative, effective ways to bridge the gap between the K-12 classroom and the world of post-secondary education and career training. One helpful strategy is to understand what it is that businesses and growth-oriented careers actually look for and need when they're hiring.

To get a better idea of what awaits your students when they leave the classroom, CHECK OUT BUSINESSANDEDUCATION.ORG, a fantastic collection of resources and information supported by achieve.org, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit education reform organization focused on making CCR an education priority.

On the website you will find extensive, well-supported information about CCR, along with an overview of CCR standards and links to business and career-related resources. You can even look at what's happening with the CCR initiatives in your state and see how you can integrate your classroom practices with these initiatives!

Reaching Out to Parents--How to Talk About Common Core

As every educator knows, having active, involved, supportive parents can make an enormous difference for students. No doubt you have heard questions or concerns from the parents of your students about what Common Core State Standards will mean for their children, and how CCSS will impact students.

These resources from the National PTA are a great place to help begin the conversation with parents. There is a brochure with parent FAQs about student success, plus longer booklets geared toward parents of K-8 students. The focus is on math and ELA standards, and the parent guides offer suggested methods and activities for extending learning beyond the classroom into the home, and key things to know about CCSS. There are even tips for parents of high schoolers about college and career planning.

Knowing and understanding parent concerns, and getting ideas about how to address them better will help you partner with parents as you implement CCSS instruction and assessment in your classroom! Let them know about these great resources, and TAKE A LOOK at them yourself so you can be prepared for conversations and collaboration!

Making a Difference in Student Achievement

Maybe you've been wondering just how Common Core State Standards are different from the state standards you have been using in the classroom until recently. Are there really such major differences? What kind of an impact will the change to CCSS be able to make for student outcomes, and how will students be better served by the switch, both in short-term and long-term ways? Maybe you're wondering how you can really make the most of the enormous potential that CCSS has to prepare students for college and career? Or what the implications of the switch will be for your classroom instruction.

This PCG white paper does a fantastic job presenting an overview of the differences between the new CCSS and earlier state standards. It offers some clear and basic suggestions for the kinds of instruction and the concrete actions at the school level that will help educators make the most of the CCSS for their students.

If you're looking for good ideas and helpful research as you prepare to bring the Common Core into your classroom and your school, this is a great place to start! CLICK HERE to check it out.