NAME:
Mr. Mihalenko
SCHOOL:
Emma Arleth Elementary School
CLASS:
ASI Math - Grades 1-3
SCHOOL PHONE:
(732) 525-5245
I wasn't always a teacher. In a former career, I worked for a
pharmaceutical company researching ways to help cure damage to the brain
resulting from strokes and Alzheimer's disease. I have a master's degree in
Early Childhood/Elementary Education. I enjoy teaching math because most
games are based on some sort of mathematical principle, and I use that
characteristic to help students understand math and make my teaching fun.
Though I presently teach only the subject of math, I believe
in the importance of integrating the curriculum. I often use books (see
the Math and Literature page) to introduce math concepts and build background
knowledge for problem solving. I have even been known to pick up a pen and
write poetry for children including the following math poem:
Infinity
If you made a solemn vow
and you started counting now,
and began at number one,
counting till your days were done,
and you never took a rest,
even if you tried your best,
there would always be some more,
even if your throat was sore.
If you counted day and night,
and continued to recite,
you just never would complete,
the huge numerary feat,
or get near the vicinity
of counting to infinity.
Math can be FUN! Our earliest experiences with math are usually
through playing games where the concepts of probability and logic
underlie the rules of play. I use "game-like" activities when
teaching math concepts to encourage students and help them relate
the skills they are using to everyday life. When students see the
reason behind the numbers, they approach math in a less apprehensive
way and begin to understand how math works.
