Here's a secret you might not know: I used to be an elementary, classroom teacher. Yup. I was Ms. Koplovitz, your 4th grade teacher
Math was my favorite subject to teach — just as it was when I was a kid. I was one of those girls who was good at math.
There was one thing you could bet on: When you taught adding fractions, some kid would invariably complain: when am I ever going to use this? Convert fractions and add them? I am never going to do it in my life.
Well, Mr.-Smartypants-4th-grader, I use this skill ALL the time. Yesterday, I had a template scheduled for a fire place surround for my Cambridge job. Here is a mock up of the column design we are doing on the face of the mantle.
It was all about eights, sixteens, halves and quarters. Calculators make it more confusing because you have to convert to decimals and then back. An Excel spreadsheet would have made it easy, had their been a computer handy. (There wasn't).
So, I just took out a pencil, lined up those fractions and added. Old school. Yup. Math and Design go hand in hand. Or rather arithmetic and design…and certainly geometry and design. 2 trains traveling at different speeds? Calculus? Not so much.
I always find myself using my math skills. Many times geometry is very handy (that used to be my favorite math class).
Great blog!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
xo
Edyta
http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/
something I could use more readily given my office renovations. You’ll have to teach me your tricks, Ms. Koplovitz 🙂
Yeah, geometry too…it’s all about the Pathagorean theorim. I use that ALL the time.
Measure 18 times. Cut once.
your blog is too fine. Thanks for sharing this
I don’t remember how to do fractions without using a calculator but yes math and design do go together.
I learned that the hard way!
I have to say that this was a really good post. I really enjoyed reading it, thanks for posting it.
I have to say that this was a really good post. I really enjoyed reading it, thanks for posting it.
On first glance you wouldn’t associate our Gordon with fractions. But when measurements are needed he is instantly all there. He just wants a plain wooden pencil with an eraser. Picture hanging was like a sporting competition to him, perfection his goal. Fun to watch.
Ha! So, this is the time when you tell kids in school that they WILL use math skills outside of school? 😉 I was good at math too and have come across some calculations for my home’s renovation spaces (that are at an angle). Thanks for sharing!
If you have no knowledge of math, I could imagine how hard it would be, to create and design beautiful scuptures, houses, etc. Also, the beauty of numbers and patterns can be found in nature… everywhere! ..I mean..just look at a snowflake.
Yes, good point Venetian! I loved math as a kid for the patterns and the beauty of numbers!