by VANESSA GOMEZ (CYMIA’s Unofficial Training Correspondent)
Fourteen major training days laterand we are one away from graduation! Most people have countdowns for how many days are left in our year, but I count down how many training days are left. Why? Well it has gotten to the point where I'm not sure know what else we could be trained on. When I heard we were about to have spring break trainings while I knew my friends on spring break were tanning and our kids were sleeping late, I was Peanut Butter and Jealous. Friday happened and Charlie Rose had me on a City Year high but then it only took a weekend and a serious case of the Monday Syndrome to have me back into “Not Another Training” Mode.
To my surprise Monday’s training went by and I didn’t want it to end. I took in every word that was said just like my friends took in some serious rays of sun, except in my case I wasn’t sun burnt. I felt enlightened and empowered and felt like I finally got to interact with my colleagues on a deeper level. Hearing Emani’s powerful words during his Life Works and then joining into some of the best talks I have had in the “unconference” made this training day feel more of an “unTraining Day” and I loved every bit of it.
Tuesday morning comes around and I was ready to get into my same daily routine where I wake up too early (#SouthVillageProblems) and end up looking routinely on fleek in my khakis. Instead I got to wake up and spend a little more time on hair, makeup and real-people clothes! In the midst of this year, I had forgotten how many different options are actually in my closet.
I plan to empower & educate young people to become health advocates for themselves and their communities.#CYLACYSuccess @CityYearMiami
Wilfredo from Lab Miami started the day off telling us about his story and it was amazing to see it ripple into LACY plans for one of my coworkers. Then off I went into my very personalized schedule and went into “Girl Power;” they basically put my “fired up” to shame! The way they spoke and the energy they radiated made me feel like I was in one of my Vixen Workout classes. Their mission is amazing and the way they praised our work this year was humbling and felt pretty rewarding. Speaking of rewarding anyone that knows me knows that there is nothing in the world that I love more than shopping. I am great with my money but there is always room for improvement and that is when Wells Fargo came in with their Managing Your Money Seminar.
After speaking with Ansh Grover, my #LACY plan is still indefinite, but full of potential! #cylacysuccess @cityyearmiami
Let’s talk about skills Baby, lets talk about you and me! In I walk into the skills expo and see familiar faces: PMs and staff. I first went to the “How to Dress Professionally” rotation and realized that this skills lab had a lot more to offer than I originally anticipated. Times up and I decide to go to the “Negotiating Salary” talk and wow was I doing things wrong. Michelle Vidal was very insightful and it blew my mind how much I learned in the few minutes with her! Seeing PMs on a daily is awesome but we don’t get to pick their brains as much as I would want, so it was nice to be able to ask David Pringle, a Program Manager at Madison Middle, anything we wanted on his life as a PM and working for a nonprofit. I came into this room hesitant but left full of knowledge and ready to take on LACY and the career/college expo!
Overheard at @CityYearMiami, "This has been one of the best trainings since BTA." #CYLACYSuccess
They say you take things for granted until they are gone. In this case, it being my views on training, it is completely accurate. Although it has been dreadful to wake up ridiculously early to travel half of Miami for so many trainings, they have helped each and every AmeriCorps member grow in some way or another. Whether it has been working with children or simply working on ourselves and our surroundings, Emani Jerome, our Training Manager, and the City Year Miami staff have done an amazing job making sure that we are not only prepared for this year but for years to come.
Now, will I miss sitting for hours in very cold and far places? Probably not. But will I ever forget at least one thing I learned from a training day? Probably not either, and for that I have Emani and his team to thank for.
Vanessa Gomez is a Math Interventionist at Pine Villa Elementary. Follow her story at #makebetterhappen on Twitter and @cymia_pinevilla on Instagram.
The Fun Day Out with the WOW Center was an incredible success for Redland Middle School students to interact with individuals with different abilities.
This success was prepared for with the excellent presentation by Cathy Allore, Clinical Support Specialist at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University, titled “More Alike Than Different.” In this presentation, students were first asked to observe similarities and differences among the people in the room, a fun activity that primed them for understanding the key point of the presentation. The students were engaged and they caught on to this idea. A great distinction that was made was using the terminology of “individuals with different or varying abilities,” something that does not carry an automatic connotation, is much more sensitive and productive than labeling individuals with disabilities. The concept of people first language was also covered, referring to the idea of saying that someone with a different ability is referred to as “a person with different ability,” rather than “a different ability person.” This puts the similarity between people into context before the difference can separate them and helps build empathy.
These ideas and concepts may not have been at the forefront of the students’ minds during the Fun Day Out, in large part because the students were just having fun with the individuals with different abilities. The students were mindful of the spirit of the day, to have fun and interact, and acted accordingly. Redland City Year Corps Members were captains of teams that were comprised of Redland students, individuals with different abilities, and other volunteers. These teams were either eight or nine in number, which allowed for many interactions between everyone. The team sports that were the basis for this interaction were basketball, soccer, kickball, and more team builders. Each of these sports require cooperation and distinct rule-following that was appropriately bent by everyone involved to make sure everyone had fun. The students had exemplary behavior, and it was evident the event made an impact on the students. Some students have even asked when it could happen again.
By KEVIN HUTCHINS
Kevin is an AmeriCorps Member at Redland Middle School. For more info on the WOW Center visit http://wowcentermiami.org/.
By Erica Dougherty
Be the change you want to see
The more you put in, the more you get out
To get there, you must work endlessly
Allied with City Year, we’ll get there, no doubt
The whole world is yours
It’s in your hands
We do our best and give it all we’ve got
It’s difficult work, we know
Lives impacted and lessons taught
It’s not just for show
The whole world is yours
It’s in your hands
The power of young people in which we believe
In the leaders of tomorrow we trust
We provide the tools to help them achieve
Entrusting our future in their hands is a must
Last month, Ms. Raine organized an event called “Starfish Juniors Red Jacket Ceremony.” The purpose of it was to recognize those students that have improved since we have started working with them, and that have also shown initiative and discipline in the work that they do. Each corps member selected a student, and we invited Saif to join us to honor our students. It was very similar to our own Red Jacket Ceremony, as we went around the room and said a few words about our students and why we chose them. After speaking, each Corps Member put their Red Jacket on the student, similar to how our Program Manager put on our jacket after we dedicated our jacket. The students were able to wear the Red Jackets all day, and they were also awarded with an official certificate and given a City Year Junior button that they placed on their backpacks. The event occurred during at the start of the day so we were all able to enjoy breakfast together to end things. It was a huge success, and shout out to Ms. Raine and Caryn Lavernia, as well as the Homestead Senior High administration for coming out to support us!
With testing season upon us the students at Brownsville Middle School are working their pencils to the eraser getting ready. Our corps members have taken notice and have stories to share showcasing their starfish students in preparation for the test:
I am extremely proud of my one of my starfish! Over the last few weeks, he has been putting forth the effort to get his work done and practice for the upcoming writing test. Instead of needing me to constantly push him to do his work, he told me he had it covered. The only thing he needed to know was if his work was right or if he needed to fix something. During class, he has taken a leadership role by ensuring everyone else is on task. His ability to write and correct his own errors makes me excited and confident in him for the upcoming test. His behavior has improved significantly since the beginning of the new semester. His teachers are praising him, he is doing work in all of his classes, and he is really looking forward to a better future. Even greater, his mom is receiving more positive phone calls from his teachers, and it is encouraging him to do better.
- Kelsee Whaley, proudly serving at Brownsville Middle School
This year the test has changed, favoring evidence and reasoning based argumentative essays. Although this challenge seemed a difficult at first, we have been going at it full force. With writing camp and practice essays, we have left no transition word unwritten. One student told me he felt like he was training for a big competition and was more confident going into the writing test. Other students have called me over, not for help, but to ask questions like, “Is this too much evidence?” or “Mr. Zachary, look I am already on paragraph three!” These things have not only made them more prepared with the proper skills, but have also helped them to believe in themselves. Now it is time to breathe deeply, relax, grab a pencil, and make a claim!
- Zachary Morin, proudly serving at Brownsville Middle School
One particular student in my 6th grade analytical writing class has struggled to comprehend since the first day of class. He has difficulty remaining focused during long class periods, especially when the agenda for the day includes long stretches of time doing the same activity. I helped this student overcome obstacles by giving him a checklist of steps to complete for his body paragraphs. For example: transition word, topic sentence, evidence, elaboration, evidence, elaboration, etc. Before writing this down, he had trouble remembering what he needed to do; he would pull a quote from the text and forget where to put it in the paragraph. The checklist served as a visual reminder of what he needed to accomplish. I am so proud of this student's progress. He went from struggling to complete a single paragraph to becoming the first person to complete their entire essay.
- Annah Wells, proudly serving at Brownsville Middle School
This post was edited by Rachel Tove-White.
Rachel is the Media & Outreach Coordinator at Brownsville Middle. For more on her story and that of her team, visit @CYMIA_Falcons on Twitter.
B- I’m really good at basketball; I consider that to be my hidden talent. I’m also a beast with a Rubik cube.
Have you used it as a part of your CY Service? If yes, how?
Yes, I’ve enjoyed using my basketball skills during “Sports Day “with my students as a part of morning greeting. I’ve also related basketball to mathematics in terms of scoring.
Have you seen your hidden talent grow as a result of your service?
No, but it’s a sacrifice I’ve been willing to make for my students.
Have you encouraged any of your students in their hidden talents? Please give an example.
I have a student named Dirk, who is a free-style rapper. I’ve encouraged him to free-style math equations as way of comprehension. I’ve seen improvement in his work ethic and strategy improvement.
Are there any lasting comments on your hidden talents?
I enjoy relating my hidden talents in basketball to improving their education in any way possible and success in the classroom.
Kleopatra Ruddock (CM at Miami Norland)
What is your hidden talent?
K-Acting
Have you used it as a part of your CY Service? If yes, how?
Yes, I’ve used acting to liven up D.I. I’ve found myself putting on different accents to keep my students engaged. It’s helped to “get into character” and keep myself and the students motivated. My acting has also added positively to the classroom dynamic.
Have you seen your hidden talent grow as a result of your service?
Yes, my co-workers have encouraged me to pursue a career in acting. I’ve also been challenged to practice my public speaking skills. In all, my team has helped me to feel more comfortable in my own skin.
Have you encouraged any of your students in their hidden talents? Please give an example.
Yes, I’ve encouraged one of my students, Ariel, who is an amazing writer to take it up as an actual occupation. She’s that good.
Are there any lasting comments on your hidden talents?
I am extremely grateful to CY for allowing me to reflect/guiding me. I’ve truly grown to acknowledge what makes me happy. My goal is to encourage others to “love what you do and do what you love.” That should be the main focus, the money will come.
On January 29th, City Year Miami AmeriCorps Member TatianaBurgess and her teammates from Miami Southridge Senior High School hosted the school’s Annual Literacy Night. The name of this event was “Books Around The World.” City Year researched and presented books from authors from different countries.
AmeriCorps Members were proud to host this event in our attempt to enhance our student’s global knowledge of literature. This event had a highly successful turnout, especially from the freshman class.
By JAMES HILL (@JHill_The4th)
Mr. Hill is an AmeriCorps Member at Southridge Senior High School. He serves as the Media and Outreach Coordinator for his team.
AmeriCorps Member Annah Wells at Brownsville Middle shares her experience creating a reading competition to promote literacy in her school. Read her story below.
In my Intensive Reading Plus class, my teacher and I havestarted a competition between our three classes to see which class can reach1,000,000 words. The class to reach the goal first will get a party during their class period. We track the words by using the Scholastic Read 180/System 44 software. In order to earn words for your class, you must take and pass a book comprehension quiz. Every Monday, I check the computer software to see the updated word count for each class.
The competition has started a reading frenzy among students who were reluctant readers. In one class, two gentlemen who were apathetic about reading turned into the class cheerleaders. They now encourage other students to read larger books, congratulate students who pass quizzes, and get upset when their class falls behind the competition.
To learn more about Annah's service at Brownsville Middle School visit their Twitter at @CYMIA_Falcons. And for opportunities to join City Year, visit the organization's website at cityyear.org.
The Chiefs at Miami Carol City High School always find new and innovative ways to invigorate their service. This time around, they decided to acknowledge the people who’ve helped them get to where we are now as they "wouldn’t be here without them".
Read below as each City Year member recounts who they are, where they’ve been, and where theywant to go.
“I just want to say thank you to the parents out there who support us despite having reservations about the modest living stipend we earn. It means a lot to us that you've got our backs.” – Brenton Cozby
“I chose to work with City Year to surround myself with inspirational people this year who would push me and help me grow, and I was successful in that mission. However, sometimes I forget that the only reason I have been this lucky is because I was given the opportunity to have mentors in my life who have helped me learn what’s important in my life and how to be intentional about the things I want to accomplish. I hope that I continue your legacy through my work and inspire another to do the same! Infinite love to Linda Lam, Todd Honma and Kathy Yep J” – Isabelle Le
“I would like to thank my college algebra summer class for inspiring me to continue working with students that are struggling to pass their core classes. One on one attention or small group intervention time can make all the difference in finally making a foreign concept clear. They reminded me that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but to never let your weakness become a hinderance in your future.” – Brooke Carter
“Dear Melanie,
You're crazy! You have always had the biggest heart, the biggest work ethic, and the longest to-do list of anyone I've ever known. I honestly don't think I will ever live up to your legacy, but just having you as a mom gives me strength everyday. When I was deciding between City Year and another organization you really didn't give me much advice. You just said you'd support me in whatever I did, and that was all I needed. I'm incredibly glad I chose City Year, not just to be able to work with wonderful students, but to learn more about the mission you've devoted your entire life to. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.” – Gaby Megias
“Thank you for being great people! When I grow up I want to be just like you.” – Emmanuella Louisdor
“Thank you to my friends for reading over my application and those that recommended me :)” – Kathiana Jadotte
“A leader is someone who inspires others to achieve;
Instilling belief in those who do not believe
Through future lean, through times austere
Their vision is, and remains, clear.
Thank you Saif Ishoof for giving me the opportunity to work with City Year!” – Stephanie Rivera
“Thank you for willingly and unknowingly inspiring me to always dream dangerously.” – Ryan Lee
“Michelle Darst:
I can never thank you enough for all you have done for me. You are the teacher who made the greatest impact on my life. As my mentor, you still continue to do so. I do not know if I would be where I am today without your guidance. You encouraged me to do things I never thought possible and helped me realize I have positive things to contribute to others. This is what I work to bring to my students on a daily basis. I work to create the future through their individual talents. In City Year, we have something called "ripples".
I share a ripple of what you recently wrote to me when I disclosed to you my stress for the future, "When it comes to what’s next in life, my best advice is have faith that it always falls into place the way it is supposed to fall into place. Sometimes we move forward asking ourselves if we’re crazy to leave and other times we stay put thinking we’re crazy to stay. I wish I could tell you those butterflies get easier the older you get…but they don’t. Those butterflies…it’s good stress…it makes us consider everything."
Thank you for ALWAYS inspiring me to continue developing my passions for health education. Air hug to you up in MN! Stay warm :)” – Frannie Julison
“I can honestly thank my family youth and communities teacher at the University of Florida. She was the one who steered me into the direction to do CY. She felt as a male who respected equal education for all youth, especially men of minority ethnicity that CY would be an ideal opportunity to stage something I truly stand by.” – Henry Suckie
“I want to thank my former boss and my professor/adviser for writing what I presume to be a couple of awesome letters of recommendation for me. They both expressed their support and wished me luck for my success in City Year. So far, I think I've done pretty well.” – Toni-Lee Maitland
Wishing you the best in the year to come, CCSHS (Big Chiefs!)
By ISABELLE LE
Follow Isabelle’s story on Twitter at @cymiamilady and learn more about City Year and how to become an AmeriCorps Member at cityyear.org
ThisMarch, we will be producing a Shakespeare inspired play titled: Romeo and it Ain’t Gonna Happen. Written, directed, produced, and performed by Jackson students and City Year Corps Members, this play will be the most inclusive event of the year.
The play is an exciting story of Romeo, a love stricken high school student fumbling through school as he attempts to win the heart of classmate, Juliet. It follows him through a Friday/Saturday in which he and his friends encounter their most formative years head on. A Sub-plot involving two gay classmates takes a risk few could anticipate and entrenches the narrative in a contemporary setting.
The engagement of the Jackson student body has been evident, particularly in set design, writing and acting. Grab your tissues, your popcorn, and your bae because this romantic-comedy will be a memorable production.
By KRISTOPHER ROBINSON
City Year Miami Jackson Senior High School
Get involved with City Year. Join the 2015-2016 corps and apply today!
With the new Florida Standards test coming up in March, we are working hard to prepare our sixth-grade students for their new writing test. While some of the kids are struggling, others are beginning to get the hang of it.
For my students, it is tough to write a five paragraph essay. Most of them are extremely frustrated, but a handful of the more advanced students are coming along just fine. However, one of my starfish has been pushing through her frustration and is getting the hang of writing an essay. She wrote her first compete essay two weeks after winter break and by the end of January had written an A-quality piece. She is making a lot of progress. I am proud to call her one of my leading starfish.
- Kelsee Whaley, proudly serving at Brownsville Middle School
After a long discussion of ways inwhich our team would be able to effectively spread awareness on bullying for the month of October, National Bullying Prevention Month, our team came up with a “Anti-Bullying Wall” idea.
Each corps member was responsible for bringing blank sheets of paper and having students draw or write anything related to bullying during any free time at their homeroom. We got a lot of great drawings and papers back for bullying prevention, and anti-bullying. We then taped these onto a wall titled “No Bully Zone”, designed by our talented corps member, Molly Phipps. After this wall is finished, it will be covered with a big piece of paper, which will have bullying statistics and facts, to be ripped down by a selected group of students. Corps members will request for teachers to give us a list of students who have remained on task and completed their assignments on time. These students will be given the opportunity to come during their time in homeroom to help us tear the wall down of all the negative facts and statistics.
The wall is located by the main entrance of the school, and will be seen by every student and staff member. The message we plan on sending across is that we need to beat all the negative facts and statistics, and commit to making a difference.
By KAREN MERINO (@KarenMer1no)
Karen is an AmeriCorps Member at Redland Middle School. She serves as the Media and Outreach Coordinator for her team.
During the last week of January, Pine Villa had their annual Literacy Week, kicked off by the event “Don’t Judge a Book by it's Cover”.
That Monday, students from 3rd, 4th and 5th were selected to partake in a summary contest after reading an accelerated reader book with its cover wrapped. As suggested by the event name, this encourage students to read books that they may not have otherwise even glanced over.
On the following Tuesday, PineVilla then a “Reading Buddies” event, where 5th graders paired up with 2nd Graders to read to them and learn about their experiences.
On Wednesday, Pine Villa’s "Starfish" Afterschool Programspent the afternoon creating their own bookmarks.
Thursday, students competed in a “Are You Smarterthan a City Year” game show-style competition during our PBS Assembly. Students were up against our Program Manager, Amanda Calderon. The 5th grade contestants won it all with the question “What is an Adjective?” (a word describing a noun).
The week was capped off with the AmeriCorps members of Pine Villa reading to the first graders of Pine Villa in a story time event at the end of the afternoon.
Overall, the entire week of events was a success and it was a treat for all those involved, especially the kids who have shown a love and interest in reading and continue to do so even as the event has reached its conclusion. Although we only work with three grades, this week got us to bond with everyone in the school and join in a common love for reading!
By BENJI ZELEDON & VANESSA GOMEZ
Vanessa Gomez is a Math AmeriCorps Member at Pine Villa Elementary. You can follow her Instagram here and apply to be an AmeriCorps Member like Benji and Vanessa here.
Despite all of the opulence and flashiness Miami is known for, poverty remains a persistent issue throughout this community.
On October 8, 2014, more than 100 social justice advocates, grassroots organizations, and policy makers attended south Florida’s First Annual Anti-Poverty Summit to seriously address the city’s high poverty rate. In Miami, the poverty rate peaks at 17 percent while it rests at 14.5 percent nationwide. That means that about 71,000 people are living below the poverty line. Furthermore, of that 71,000, every family of four earns an annual income of $23,850 or below.
Let us ponder for a moment. What does poverty look like to you? Many of us imagine absolute destitution that is so obvious and extreme that we assume it has to be uncommon. That’s not the only image of poverty. Many times we’ve unknowingly interacted with someone who is struggling to find a stable home or nutritious food to eat. We assume that they are all right because we don’t see them in ripped clothing or that since they aren’t complaining of hunger, they must’ve eaten dinner last night or had breakfast that morning.
Several of the students that we work with struggle with poverty, and at times they’re afraid to let anyone know for fear of being judged or ostracized. This issue is dire, and it has to be addressed because it has a direct effect on our students’ performance in school, which directly affects their upcoming future. Living in poverty is considered to be a traumatic event, especially in children’s lives because lack of proper nutrition and care impedes the development of their brains and limits their cognitive abilities. Poverty and neglect aren’t our focus areas as corps members, but those factors have an enormous effect students’ ability to learn new material and to recall that material during a test.
Considering that we have little control over how or where our students live or what they eat, there’s hardly anything that we can change. However, through other avenues, we can influence their perception of their current situation and motivate them to seek help as well as make the most of the resources available to them. As for solutions to the poverty problem in Miami, the summit proposed the following: ending workplace discrimination, increasing minimum wage (which is $7.93 in Florida), and boosting housing rental assistance. These all affect the adults in our students’ lives and affect them as the approach adulthood. What can we do right this moment until those laws come to fruition?
As I mentioned before, the most we can do as corps members is provide support and point our students to resources that can fulfill their needs so that they can go to school and focus. They are the next generation and we want to set them up for a better future than the previous generations. Doing well in school automatically puts them in a better position to succeed and escape poverty. That is what we need to remind our students of; their environment shouldn’t limit them. Until laws change, we have to encourage them to do their best to overcome obstacles, excel and achieve their goals. This way they can shape their own environment.
By TONI-LEE MAITLAND
Toni is an ELA AmeriCorps Member at Miami Carol City Senior High School. If you'd like to make an impact in low-income communities lacking educational resources, apply to be an AmeriCorps Member with City Year today.
PURPOSE, to Build Communities!Day 9 Challenge: What does Purpose mean to you? #30DaysofPurpose pic.twitter.com/SxpSePqNus
— City Year Miami (@CityYearMiami) January 22, 2015
Mr. T, what does City Year mean to you?
T: City year is the gateway for sharing a near peer experience with our students. City Year’s impact on my life and the students has been far more than I think I will ever fully comprehend.
Ms. Ramirez, which PITW(Putting Idealism to Work) inspires you?
R: PITW #48, “ Work calmly, but with a sense of urgency. You can change a mind, an organization or a life- today, right now.”
Mr. T, what motivates you to serve?
T: My students. I see potential in each and every single one of them. It gets me up in the morning, keeps me throughout the day and back again.
Ms. Ramirez, how has a teacher, student or administration that you’ve worked with inspired you?
R: While working with a student after school, she expressed being weary of a mundane and ordinary life. She looks up to social and political activists who inspire her to fulfill her potential and to not settle for average. I found myself being inspired and having hope for the generation to come.
Mr. T, tell us how you get ready for service.
T: Once I’m awake, I take a shower and think about my agenda for the day. As I brush my teeth, I’m checking the time to make sure, I’m not late. I get dressed and make sure that my “piece of red” is on as well as my boots or black shoes. These are an essential part to a successful day.
Ms. Ramirez, how are you going to recommit to your service for the next 4 months?
R: I plan to be intentional with each moment. Whether its fellow corps members, students, or school staff. I realize how each day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, so it’s important to take advantage.
Mr. T, how do arrive to work?
T: I carpool with Ms. Ramirez, on her way to school.
Ms. Ramirez, which founding story inspires you?
R: The founding story of the starfish inspires me. In education, especially, we have to try to reach every student we can. It’s worth going through the valleys to finally reach the peaks.
Math Best Practice: Word Problems (Especially for ESOL students)
AmeriCorps Member, Maurisha Tucker, gives her advice on how to teach math to ESOL students. Read her step-by-step instructions below.
Translate and solve the following real-life problem:
You make a long distance telephone call. The rate is $.10 foreach minute. The total cost of the call is $5.00. How long was the call? Check to see if your solution is reasonable.
Step 1: Read the problem and underline the key words
You make a long distance telephone call. The rate is $.10 for each minute. The total cost of the call is $5.00. How long was the call? Check to see if your solution is reasonable.
Step 2: Write out numbers and what they represent
Numbers and meanings:
$.10 = 10 cents - the cost for each minute.
$5.00 - total cost
Step 3: Write and define key terms
Key Terms:
Rate - price/cost
Each - every single one
Total - everything altogether
Step 4: What is the question? Underline/highlight it.
You make a long distance telephone call. The rate is $.10 for each minute. The total cost of the call is $5.00. How long was the call? Check to see if your solution is reasonable.
Step 5: Write and solve your equation.
Total = (cost of each minute) * (number of minutes)
Cost of each minute = $.10
Number of Minutes = ?????? → x
Total = $5.00
Translate the word problem into an equation → 5.00= (.10) * (x)
Divide each side by the known variable (.10) in order to isolate the variable
→ (5.00)/(.10) = (.10)/(.10) * (x)
Cancel out (.10)/(.10) to equal 1, leaving x by itself on one side → (5.00)/(.10) = (x)
Divide (5.00) by (.10) to solve for x → 50 = x
Now, put a unit to the number to answer the question → 50 minutes
Step 6: Check to see if your answer is reasonable? (Does your answer make sense?)
Check by placing the answer into your original equation.
Total = (cost of each minute) * (number of minutes)
5.00 = (.10) * (x)
x = 50
5.00 = (.10) * (50)
5.00 = 5.00 ✓✓✓ It works!
Final Notes:
1. Scaffolding is key. Especially with ESOL students, be sure to take your time and be creative when explaining what a word means.
2. This can change depending on the students that you are working with. If a student does not need the key terms defined, you may skip this step.
3. As all math CM probably know, it is also SUPER important to keep all the numbers in the same units. So, especially for ESOL students, it would be great to explain that $.10 is a dime, but be sure not to write 10 cents and $5.00 in the equation using two different units.
Maurisha Tucker is an AmeriCorps Member at Booker T. Washington High School and works primarily as an ESOL / Math Interventionist. You can follow her story at @hakunamaurisha. If you are interested in teaching math like Maurisha, apply to City Year by our final deadline on April 30th.
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