Instructify

We have a winner! The Instructify staff has voted Mister Teacher’s “Punch it Up” rounding technique as the best mnemonic device we received. It’s a great way to teach young students the concept of rounding, and is also really catchy. But we’ll let Mister Teacher himself explain:

When I teach my third graders how to estimate, I use a process that one of my buddies taught me long ago called, “Punch It Up.”

Let’s say that you want to round the number 86 to the nearest 10. The preliminary step is to identify place values, but the meat of estimation comes in knowing whether to round a number up or down. So the kids know that they are analyzing the number 6 in 86. They hold up 6 fingers. With 6 fingers, they are able to make a fist, and with that fist they can, “Punch It Up” to 90. If the number had been 84, and they had been holding 4 fingers up, they would see that they are NOT able to make a fist to punch it up, so they have to just let go of it and let it drop down to 80.

To punch it up, you have to have at least 5 fingers in order to make a fist. The kids really take hold of this concept and get excited about rounding.

For his efforts, Mister Teacher wins a Philips GoGear MP3 player, which he can then load with other catchy educational phrases. Or, you know, music.

If you’re an elementary teacher, consider using the “Punch it Up” method in your own math lessons. Just be sure to thank Mister Teacher for sharing this great trick. -BILL FERRIS

Mister Teacher

Related Stuff:
Contest: Win an MP3 Player by Sharing Your Best Mnemonic Device

Photo credit: Jaume d’Urgell on flickr

Today is the last day to submit your best educational mnemonic device to our contest. The best entry wins a Philips GoGear MP3 Player.

Post your entries in the comments section by midnight. We’ll announce the winner next week!

Need some inspiration? Check out this old favorite on the elements of the periodic table. -BILL FERRIS

Contest: Win an MP3 Player by Sharing Your Best Mnemonic Device

It’s not too late to enter our Mnemonic Device Contest. Submit your best educational mnemonic device in any subject by Friday, February 29 for a chance to win a Philips GoGear MP3 player.

If you need inspiration, here’s a song that’ll help you remember the US Presidents.

We’ll announce the winner next week. Just click here and post your entry in the comments. -BILL FERRIS

Contest: Win an MP3 Player by Sharing Your Best Mnemonic Device

You can still win a Philips GoGear MP3 player in our contest for the best educational mnemonic device. In honor of Leap Day, we’re extending the deadline until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 29. If you need some inspiration to work yourself up into a mnemonic mnemania, here’s a fun song about the countries of the world.

For the full rundown and to submit an entry, click here. -BILL FERRIS

Contest: Win an MP3 Player by Sharing Your Best Mnemonic Device

Mr. Davidson in my Algebra II class had a method to help us struggling students to simplify equations. He called it his “number rap.” It went a little something like this:

“Put your letters on the left and your numbers on the right.
You do it this way, you get ‘em all right.
Combine the like terms, multiply, divide,
You do it this way, easy slide by.”

I’ve never heard the term “easy slide by” before or since, and I haven’t taken a math class in more than a decade, but I still remember the right way to solve equations.

You’ve probably got your own little tricks to help students remember important information, whether they’re acronyms, imagery, or arrhythmic algebraic hip hop. Instructify wants to hear your best educational mnemonic devices. And we’re giving away a free Philips GoGear MP3 player to the best one.

Just post your memory-enhancing tricks in the comments section by February 20. They don’t have to be your creation, but uncommon or unique entries will definitely get preference. ROY G BIV and Every Good Boy Does Fine are classics, but we want to hear some new ideas.

We’ll post the top answers later this month. Now’s your chance to show off your creativity, plus help your fellow teachers add a few tricks to their repertoire. -BILL FERRIS

Update: The contest deadline is Friday, February 29. Mnemonic devices can be for any subject.