He's not mad. He's Max. And his multiple personalities are not a
disorder. They're exactly what the doctor ordered to cure all math
ills by changing the way your child learns.
Max (and his various personas) is the creation of Mike Weinberg
whose concern about the math challenges facing today's students
evolved from over a decade of volunteer tutoring, first at his
daughter's middle school, then high school.
He quickly learned that many students were confused by traditional
math techniques. So he took on the challenge of devising new
approaches until he found methods that worked by weaving movement,
imagery, and fun into normally dull and lifeless symbols and
procedures.
Four years ago, Weinberg compiled his techniques into handouts and
books and began offering free seminars to the general public through
the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Community Learning program. Current
offerings include Mental Math, Fraction Fun, Algebra Antics, Geometry
Gems, Worry Problems, and Math Basics Marathon.
Now back to the main character of our story.
Based on the scientific principle that visual stimulation and
emotional involvement enhance learning and aid memory, Weinberg
developed an alter-ego — Max M. Learning — who assumes the
guise of over 20 characters. Addition Andy, Subtraction Sam,
Multiplication Morris, Fraction Frank, Division Dietrich, and Algebra
Al Jabr are just a few who come prepared with costumes and accents to
introduce math concepts. Audiences enjoy lively skits and
demonstrations, sharing laughs and winning prizes in a friendly and
supportive learning atmosphere!
Consider the following: Max may well be thought of as the Bill Nye
of math.
Although Weinberg originally designed the material for fifth
through eighth graders, he has seen students from age seven to 77
benefit from his unique approach. An average of thirty people attend
each two to three hour seminar. The homeschool community is well
represented.
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"In over a decade of volunteer math
tutoring—middle school, group home, high school,
private—I've found that traditional techniques don't work for
everyone. With so many of our students failing math, there's clearly a
need to try something new."
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When parents began requesting private tutoring and small group
sessions, Weinberg converted a spare bedroom of his La Mesa home into
Max Learning's Fun Room, complete with overhead projector, slides,
multiple whiteboards, colorful posters, and props. But the feature
that most motivates students to work hard and excel is the opportunity
to earn Max Moola dollars, which they can spend on cool novelty items
at Max's Moola Mart.
Last Spring, after attending a free seminar, a homeschool mom asked
Weinberg to give a series of workshops in her living room for fifteen
students. This led to requests from two more homeschool moms to do the
same in their homes this Summer. In September, Weinberg begins a
10-week math class at the Greater San Diego Academy's Chula Vista
Center which serves homeschoolers.
"My experience with the homeschool community has really opened my
eyes to the benefits of parental involvement in child education," said
Weinberg, now also an independent educational consultant and trainer
for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College and other school
districts.
For 14 years, Weinberg was employed by Grossmont College as a
full-time computer instructor funded by government grants to provide
job training to displaced workers. When the grants expired in June
this year, his career shift was an obvious and rewarding choice.
"I've been extremely impressed with the networking of homeschool
families and the dedication parents show towards student
achievement. And the homeschool kids I've taught have been
delightfully energetic!"
A schedule of free Max M. Learning math seminars can be found here on
San Diego Homeschooling in
Events » Classes. Contact Mike
Weinberg at
mike.weinberg@cox.net or (619)
697-4904.
Free Max M. Learning Math Seminars
Max Learning Products Home Page
