Kevin Lester's Page

William Carey replied to Kevin Lester's discussion What is Math, anyway? in the group Math & Science Teachers

"I'm partial to Paul Graham's suggestion that mathematics is the study of terms with precise meanings. It's vague enough to avoid the disagreement between platonists and aristotelians, captures the essence of mathematics as both a…"

Aug 7, 2012

Kevin Lester replied to Kevin Lester's discussion Teaching Math with History--resources in the group Math & Science Teachers

"I am currently watching "The Story of 1" (hosted by Terry Jones) on Netflix, which gives a humorous history of numbers and math. It might be of use in providing an overview. "

Aug 4, 2012

Kevin Lester added a discussion to the group Math & Science Teachers

What is Math, anyway?

This seems like a straightforward question, yet there is not a consensus among mathematicians. I want my students to begin the year contemplating the nature and meaning of math, and it would be good to have a definition in mind.I'm sure each of you have given some thought to this. How would you define mathematics? See More

Aug 4, 2012

1 Comment 0 Likes

Ravi Jain replied to Kevin Lester's discussion Teaching Math with History--resources in the group Math & Science Teachers

"No, I have that Quadrivium book and it's really pretty. The substance is not superb, but I display it at school to light the imaginations of my students. It's worth the price and it's a quick read. Just don't…"

Aug 1, 2012

Kevin Lester replied to Kevin Lester's discussion Teaching Math with History--resources in the group Math & Science Teachers

"Those were some helpful recommendations, Ravi. Thank you! Was this the book you remember Caldecott recommending? It looks marvelous! "

Jul 31, 2012

Ravi Jain replied to Kevin Lester's discussion Teaching Math with History--resources in the group Math & Science Teachers

"Hey Kevin, There is a great website for higher math and history that fellow teacher Michael Forth discovered hosted by some professors at New Mexico State University. It's here http://sofia.nmsu.edu/~history/ The best bet for you,…"

Jul 31, 2012

Robbie Andreasen replied to Kevin Lester's discussion Teaching Math with History--resources in the group Math & Science Teachers

"I hope your book works for you. I read this summer The Growth of Biological Thought by Ernst Mayr, and I am going to use that to help teach biology and show how concepts developed through time. Robbie"

Jul 30, 2012

Kevin Lester added a discussion to the group Math & Science Teachers

Teaching Math with History--resources

Hello--I'm teaching 5th and 6th grade students, so my curriculum includes math. Math is admittedly not my strongest subject, although I enjoy it and marvel at it.As much as possible, I would like to teach math in its historical context, which I think will help reveal some of the romance and drama that spring from the beauty of math. There aren't a lot of resources designed for elementary students that do this, which I find very startling--why are we taught the history of science, but not…See More

Jul 30, 2012

5 Comments 0 Likes

Kevin Lester joined Christopher Perrin's group

Math & Science Teachers

This group is for those teaching math and science.

Jul 30, 2012

0 Comments 4 Likes

Kevin Lester commented on Kevin Lester's video

Joshua Foer: Feats of memory anyone can do

"Memory is a faculty that is treasured by classical teachers, and neglected by others. Joshua Foer shares ancient memory techniques still in use by memory athletes. He tells a fascinating story."

Jul 27, 2012

Kevin Lester posted a video

Joshua Foer: Feats of memory anyone can do

http://www.ted.com There are people who can quickly memorize lists of thousands of numbers, the order of all the cards in a deck (or ten!), and much more. Sc...

Jul 27, 2012

1 Comment 0 Likes

Kevin Lester joined Christopher Perrin's group