IQ: Just a Starting Point for Learning Math

Think you have to be born with an innate ability to do Math? "No," says Laura Blue in Time Health and Family section. One does not have be born with math skills. Instead  study habits and motivation are more important than IQ.

In a study conducted in Germany by Kou Murayama, IQ determines a starting point for math achievement but does NOT predict any growth in math achievement.  Children who improved in math agreed or strongly agreed with statements like, "When doing math, the harder I try, the better I perform, " or "I invest a lot of time in math, because I am interested in the subject." Students who made connections between mathematical ideas typically improved faster than students who employed more cursory rote techniques.

It makes sense that motivated students would perform better and it is confirmed that  academic success is not governed by a student's cognitive ability alone.  Students who want to learn math and work at it find they make faster gains and learn better than students who are bright but less motivated.

This is encouraging for students and for schools. Motivation is not innate, but largely learned. Murayama is intrigued with these results and intends to study instructional styles that teachers and parents can use to inspire children to learn.

For more info;  http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/26/motivation-not-iq-matters-most-for-learning-new-math-skills/

Pay Attention to Your Attention

Lessons have a way a re-appearing when I haven't learned them.... Sometimes once but more often several times!

Case in point... It's Christmas season... I know that. I know what it involves: advent, shopping, malls, lists, recipes, parties, eating, expectations, more lists, wrapping, traffic, Rudolph, scheduling, work deadlines,  eating, rushing, church, lights, cold weather, candles, cards, stamps, shipping packages, reconnecting, scent of pine, tress, Chanukah, vacation, cookies, more eating, excitement, another list, children, joy, Santa,  Grinch, etc.....

So in the midst of this holiday season, I struggle with my meditation, exercise, and quiet time.My  motivator is my 100 lb German Shepherd, Shila, who needs exercise daily. I love her for that!

Anyway... my attention....and  back to Christmas... I was frantically booking our "After the Holidays" Party on line  during my busy time and  I misplaced my business credit card and my business debit card. I realized this a day after I used them. I searched work, my desk, my home , my clothes, my jackets, my car, my briefcase, closet floors, trash, and anything and every other place I  could search. I had staff, friends, clients, and my husband helping me. No luck...

During this chaos, I realized the stress I was feeling... No quiet time, no meditating, only credit cards..... Which brings me to "My Attention."  While on a retreat 12 years ago, I heard, "Pay attention to your attention." I thought this was so foolish and mimicked it when I came home. My arrogance had the better of me.. The great I am that I  always pay attention to what I am doing...

Now especially at this time, I relearned this lesson and am paying attention to my attention... I want to slow down a bit, breathe, focus on  one task at a  time, stay where my feet are, and yes, pay attention to my attention! Of course, too, I shall continue to make my lists!

No. I did not find my credit cards and as my best friend, Judy, said, "At least that is a problem you can solve." And I did... It was on my list! So slow down, pay attention to your attention, and have a fun-filled season!

De-stress the Dr. Brene Brown Way

Dr. Brown considers herself a "pretty calm parent." She has learned the value of bringing perspective and quiet to difficult situations by watching her husband and by practice!

Parents can  model calmness --- and practice it --- so our children can learn it, too. Practice deep breathing, stillness, meditating, and praying.  Spend time alone - even 10 minutes - to quiet your mind.  Walk around the block!

So the next time you want to yell, "Sit down!" or "Calm down!" try modelling the behavior of calm and quiet. Reduce the stress!

As Harriet Lerner says, "Anxiety is extremely contagious, but so is calm." Great teachers  model behaviors what they want and so do great parents!

Students and Stress

Friends. Dating. Grades. Sports. Family. Work. Peer pressure. Drugs. Alcohol. Anxiety.
Students, like adults, experience stress. Not episodic stress like studying for an exam, finishing a paper, or preparing for a job interview. I am taking about a continuous "state" of stress. Stress is a process that builds and evidence indicates that stress can increase levels of illness and infection, take years off one's life, and cuts down on one's happiness.


Common symptoms are irritability, insomnia,  headaches, accident proneness, indigestion, changes in sleep or appetite, and anxious feeling. More than 30% of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed. Depression affects over 19 million adults in the U.S. Eating disorders affect 5-10 million women and 1 million men. Suicide is the  8th leading cause of death, the 3rd leading cause of death for  those aged 15-24 and the 2nd leading leading cause of death in college populations.

How do we reduce stress? Here is s list of techniques to reduces stress:

• Try deep breathing for five seconds and create a sense of calmness and slow things down.
• Use visualization and  place yourself in the most positive environment you  have ever known.Is it  the beach, the mountains, your room, or  a park and transport your left there anytime you fell stressed.
•  Say positive affirmations like, "I feel calm."  "I can finish this paper." " I am alert." Avoid the no, don't, not. Your mind will believe what you tell it. Keep them short, simple and clear. Practice!
• Play or talk with your pet. (My favorite!)
• Listen to instrumental music.
• Take a bath or a nap.
• Exercise or walk at least 20 minutes.
• Try progressive relaxation by relaxing each individual body part from your toes to the top of your head. Focus on each body part.

So much clear evidence documents the harmful effects of stress.  Include stress reduction into your day. Think about who you want to become and continue to focus on that image. Figure out what you want to say about yourself and start saying it!  It works if you work it.

For more.... http://www.edutopia.org/blog/destress-for-success-christopher-pepper