BOISE, Idaho — A teacher at Rolling Hills Public Charter School in northwest Boise is taking a hands-on approach to math education.
5th-grade teacher Fiona Bartels is teaching the complexity of math using a game with LEGOS. She said that by utilizing a fun and hands-on learning experience, students tend to learn more.
She said the reason why she teaches is to help students grow a passion for math, and using LEGOS helps make math more enjoyable. Also, making mistakes and learning from them is a part of the experience.
"We can take that concept and put it towards Lego. I work with them more in small groups with the Lego math,” Bartels said.
It’s a concept, students were shocked with.
"They're like, what? Legos math? No, they're like, Legos are fun. I'm like, no, we you can use Legos as tools,” Bartels said.
Bartels shows KTVB how this works.
"Each nub is called a stud and so you count the studs. So, this would be a 16th stud. And if you're like I want 1/16th it would be something like that.”
This teaching style is not new to Math education.
"I noticed that when kids have a physical candy bar, or a physical Lego item and break it into fractions,” Bartels said. “For example, they have the visualness and they're like. Oh, I see what Mrs. Bartels is saying about how we're dividing things and making them equal."
Bartels said she came up with this idea from the comfort of her own home.
"My family was a big Lego family. We've been building Legos since the day I could walk,” said Bartels.
Bartels was recognized for her innovative way of teaching.
"They surprised me at an assembly with a check,” said Bartels.
In November, Bartels received a CapEd grant to build her Lego collection.
"I want to make sure everyone else gets their own little packet. So, I'm slowly building these little kits for them,” said Bartels.
She hopes she can continue impacting children’s ability to learn math with this method.
"My personal goal is to make fun and learning come hand in hand,” said Bartels.
Educators, for information on submitting an application for a classroom grant through the Idaho CapEd Foundation, visit their website here. To nominate an Innovative Educator, send us an email to innovativeeducator@ktvb.com.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.