So often in our examination-dominated education systems, the excitement of learning degenerates into rote learning. Not so in Barbara Pearl's hands-on approach to learning math, where children discover how to estimate the distance of a jumping frog, measure the angles of a paper sailboat and explore the patterns of a humpback whale. This award-winning American teacher's lessons are, however, about much more than just teaching math. Pearl's background in elementary education inspired her to integrate the classic art of origami with reading, writing, science and history.
"Where every child counts" is the motto of Pearl's program. No one is left out of the learning process, she says. "When children feel successful, they are more motivated to learn. As children learn how to make an origami whale, they can explore the characteristics of a whale through scientific investigation, read a book about mammals, listen to the song of the whales, write a creative story, or find out how to save a whale with Greenpeace," Pearl said.
Pearl has been involved extensively in teacher training, both in the U.S. and internationally. She is currently in Japan, bringing enjoyment to teachers and learners alike with her delightful methods. Dressed in a kimono, she weaves in Japanese music, children's multicultural literature and storytelling.