Paul L. Dunbar Academy
On Thursday, June 8, Paul Laurence Dunbar Academy will showcase its performing arts program at the school, 331 14th St., from 1-3 p.m. The event will include a student performance of “math facts” – the product of an innovative teaching method that helps students learn multiplication facts through popular hip-hop beats.
Paul L. Dunbar Academy continues its tradition of offering an innovative curriculum that effectively blends rigorous instruction in the core academic subjects with performing and creative arts exposure.
Christine Smith, math teacher at Dunbar Academy, is working to tap into the interests of her students to help them learn and become excited about math. Today’s students are from a music and video era; they learn in new and different ways which presents new challenges for teachers. Smith has joined efforts with Alex Nesmith (Al E. Cat, multi-platinum music producer from Hit Mecca Music, Atlanta, GA) who has agreed to work with her to create math songs using popular beats. In addition, Nesmith has donated the money to pay for studio and recording costs, as well as his time for engineering and producing the song. The school will be highlighted with this song as a topic for hip-hop in the classroom panel in June at the Mariah Carey music camp.
Smith’s dedication and innovation are paying off. Preliminary results show very positive improvement in math scores in grades 4-6 on the Ohio Achievement Test.
Visit ... [www.smartshorties.com] to listen to the recent recording of the multiplication song, performed to the tune of E40's "Tell Me When to Go." Select "All Music" and then download the "Math Facts" song. You can hear the sparks flying as students learn their math facts while having fun creating, performing and learning...