Yes, And Workshop Feb 8: Using Improv to Improve Math Play! Newsletter January 31, 2017

• Are you uncomfortable leading a math activity without a script?
• Do you wonder: What if they ask questions I can’t answer? What if it doesn’t go like I planned? How can I let the kids lead the activity?
• Do you want to be more comfortable leading discussions and activities that are open-ended?
• Are you hoping to embrace the Natural Math principle of saying “Yes, and…” but you don’t really “get it”?
• What does “Yes, And” look like?

We get it! Yes, And is probably one of the most difficult principles of Natural Math to feel confident about. Most of us likely didn’t learn our math this way. We may not even teach other subjects this way. No matter your situation or past math experience, you CAN learn the skill of effectively leading children while letting them make their own math. It may seem unusual, but acting improvisation (improv) can help us become more comfortable with this!

Sarah Trebat-Leder has taken improv classes, and she’s a 4th year Ph.D. student in Mathematics. She’s uniquely experienced in both areas! In this workshop, you’ll get to see just how improv can help you begin to grow your confidence in leading those open-ended, “what’s going to happen!?” types of activities!

What will you learn?

• Three acting improv games that can help you be more comfortable with math discussions
• How “yes, and” is more fun and allows a narrative to develop
• How to make everyone feel safe in a math discussion
• How each member of the group can help to create the math experience
• How to really listen in a discussion
• How to teach your children to listen in a discussion
• The role of emotion in your math discussions and play
• How to accept all emotions in your math experiences

Join us in February for this new workshop.

The Details!

• What: Two-part live online workshop
• Why: This is a great way to become more comfortable with leading open-ended discussions
• Who: Adults of all ages (your children are always welcome to come in and out) with Sarah Trebat-Leder and Shelley Nash as organizers
• When: Feb 8, Feb 15, 8:00 PM EST
  
• Where: Online video-talk software Zoom (similar to Skype)
• Price: Registration is $25 per family. Includes a PDF copy of the activities
• Supplies: None

See you online!

Dr. Maria Droujkova, and the Natural Math crew

Questions? Email reach.out@naturalmath.com