Category Archives: Math Matters

Happy Pi Day! 3 Ways To Find π

For years, math fans around the world have celebrated Pi Day on March 14. You can find videos, songs and T-shirts to mark the occasion. Many also count it as a day to eat lots of pie.

Why is the number Pi, denoted by the Greek letter π and pronounced “pie,” worthy of so much praise?

Pi  is one of the most common constants in all of mathematics. It is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter or approximately 3.1415926. … continue reading

HEART Tutors and Paul Tough’s “Who Gets to Graduate?”

Paul Tough’s “Who Gets to Graduate?” makes me excited about HEART tutors’ role. – Emily Elliott

We tell our tutors, “Your job is 50% delivering the curriculum and 50% being a positive influence.”  Paul Tough’s description of self-doubts around ability and belonging as obstacles preventing low-income students from graduating from college has been great food-for-thought on how HEART tutors can help.  In addition to the high-fives and explicit messaging around hard work and growth, our tutors have the opportunity to share their own experiences in … continue reading

There’s One Key Difference Between Kids Who Excel at Math and Kids Who Don’t

There’s One Key Difference Between Kids Who Excel at Math and Kids Who Don’t (read article here). “I’m just not a math person” is a self-destructive fallacy.… continue reading

Importance of Passing Algebra

Research shows the importance of passing Algebra on the first take: Students failing algebra rarely recover. Fortunately, there are ways to begin preparing students to think algebraically in elementary school.… continue reading

Raising the Bar for Student Success

This article describes Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools’ 2012/13 test scores and the elevated expectations of rigor and critical thinking associated with new national standards. HEART’s curriculum supports the Common Core standards described in the article.… continue reading