Schools

GSU Students Teach Math to Educators


Math students teach educators
Back row, left to right: Daniel Lawrence of Frankfort, Joseph Kelly of Oak Lawn, Jonathan Forkal of Joliet, Alyssa DiBenedetto of Mokena, and Dawn Wolf of Beecher. Front row, left to right: Pamela Anzelone of Romeoville, Dr. Dianna Galante of Orland Park, Abigail Garcia of Lockport, Brittany Washington of Richton Park, and Caitlin Adamski of Orland Park. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

University Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Governors State University graduate and undergraduate students had the opportunity to teach educators recently when they presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Illinois Council of Teacher of Mathematics in Springfield, Illinois.

The students, all studying to be math teachers, presented math activities they designed based on the massive sculptures in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. The students found that the 26 sculptures, which are located on the grounds of the university, can be used to illustrate various mathematical formulas and principles.

Dr. Dianna Galante Associate Professor of Mathematics, asked her students to develop an alternative assessment activity using one of the sculptures to measure student understanding of a particular math concept. Each student chose a different piece of artwork and developed the lesson and assessment. The lessons were designed for sixth through twelfth graders.

The opportunity to present at the conference and share their ingenious lessons with educators from across the state also gave her students an important experience. “The exchange of ideas in education is a very important tool in creating better teachers,” says Galante.

Galante’s students, for instance, used Fibonacci numbers, symmetry, and the properties of a geodesic dome to create their lessons. “A class field trip to the sculpture park would offer a great opportunity for children to see math concepts in action, but that is not always possible, so my students devised the lessons to work online as well,” added Galante.

Most of the students who presented in Springfield are currently student teaching in middle schools and high schools throughout the south suburbs. The students who presented are Daniel Lawrence of Frankfort, Joseph Kelly of Oak Lawn, Jonathan Forkal of Joliet, Alyssa DiBenedetto of Mokena, Dawn Wolf of Beecher, Pamela Anzelone of Romeoville, Abigail Garcia of Lockport, Brittany Washington of Richton Park, and Caitlin Adamski of Orland Park.


ARCHIVES