Community Connection at Bain Elementary

Author Stephanie Van Horn shares "Math Rapmatics" with 140 Kindergarteners
at Bain Elementary!  By involving students in the performance math comes alive for the students!

On a cold and gray day in November the atmoshere inside was sunny and joyful. There I was surrunded by amazing five and six year olds. I wondered how many of them really loved math and how many didn't. Studies show that most young children love math, but as they get older the numbers drop. Two years later I am still passionate about creating a strong foundation for math. If I can get young people to see the value in math...then I have truly succeeded.

Students dance as they rap math songs!

Students loved having the opportunity to ask me questions. Here are a few of the questions and answers from the event.

• How long have you been an author? I published "Math Rapmatics one and a half years ago.
• Why did you write a book? The book kind of wrote itself. The math raps were made up in the midst of math lessons. When I notice children struggling with the math lesson I can make up raps that help them connect to the objective. I decided to write down the raps and they ended up in my book.
• Where can I get this book? The book can be purchased from The Last Word, Black Forest Books and Toys and Park Road Books. I usually have a books new books on me and it can be purchased at www.stephanievanhorn.com.
• Do you like the raps? Yes! I even LOVE the raps!
• Why do you have the music? Since the words were raps, I added music to help make the words easier for people to remember. I also love to dance...the music makes it easy to dance while learning math.

  

  Van Horn enjoys answering questions from young people!
   

The Children's Book Review Features Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time

Math Rapmatics at the Lois Morgan Edwards Memorial Library in Marshville, NC

I am thrilled that Math Rapmatics is continuing to catch the attention of parents and children this summer. My desire is to help children become familiar with math concepts in a fresh and exciting manner! By using hip hop music and rap lyrics children are able to connect to the math in an authentic way. I am humbled by the amazing feedback that I continue to get from children and parents.

Math Rapmatics does come with a FREE Math Rapmatics CD. The beautifully illustrated hardcover book can be purchased at www.stephanievanhorn.com, Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC and at the Last Word bookstore in Charlotte, NC for $18.00. Pick up your today to join us in the math fun. Stephanie Van Horn is available to visit schools, daycares and home parties in NC, SC and VA! She can be contacted at read@stephanievanhorn.com.

See the book review by clicking the link below!
http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2012/06/math-rapmatics-mathematical-rhymes-right-on-time-by-stephanie-p-van-horn.html

Stephanie Van Horn Wins for Reading!!!

Reading is Full of Surprises

I know that as adults it is important to model positive behaviors for our children. I am proud to say that my child is a professional chocolate lover and cheesecake eater due to my modeling! She also is reading four grade levels above her current grade. She loves to read in, part due, to the reading culture that has been established in my home.

 I am an avid reader for many reasons. My daughter is main reason that I spend time engaged with books. Why shouldn't it be? I have been given the amazing gift of shaping another human being. It is, indeed, a priceless responsibility that parents have. When I read I learn, I think, I grow. This is what I want for my child as well.

Currently, my daughter is participating in the library summer reading program, Barnes & Nobles reading program and the summer reading program at her elementary school. And I am participating in the adult summer reading program at Marshville Public Library. After reading a new book you are encouraged to give a review  and enter it into the review box. Every month one winner will win a gift card to a local business.

Guess who won for JUNE?????????????????????????

Yes, it was me! $25 bucks to Wagon Wheel Grill. I've never been there, but I am going now. How sweet is that? Read, enter and win!!!! Adults and kids be sure to open a book this summer. When you read...good things are sure to follow!  Hopefully, when Camille is munching on her hamburger and fries she will think,  "Reading is full of wonderful surprises!"

Thanks for your support!

Be sure to join my blog for all the latest
 ramblings of a local author!

Happy reading this summer.

Education...enjoy the journey!

LIKE us at www.facebook.com/educational.journey

Sophia, a kindergartener, proudly displays her Paper Bag Book Report


It was May 2012 and I was so excited to assign my class their very first book report. I assign book reports close to the end of the year when my students have blossomed into strong readers. The task was to read a favorite book. Then decorate a paper bag with important details from the book. I wanted to see characters, setting, the title, events and special words from the story. The students also had to give a book talk on how the bag was decorated.

Imagine my pure delight one month later when my sweet student Sophia walked in the classroom with
Math Rapmatics:Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time
as her Paper Bag Book Report. It made my day. She smiled and said, "It's my favorite book!"
"Wow, Sophie...I feel like Eric Carle today!" I exclaimed as I hugged her.

Sophie did an amazing job of decorating her bag with items that the Hungry Hungry Crocodile ate. She carefully drew shapes that were congruent. She also had symmetrical figures and an analog clock on her bag! These are concepts most kindergarteners don't know, but can easily learn from Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time by Stephanie P. Van Horn.

Special thanks to Sophia's family for letting me share this special story with my friends!

Pick up a copy for your young family members and special friends today at www.stephanievanhorn.com the book includes a Math Rapmatics CD that will have your entire family dancing.

This makes a great gift for birthdays and summer reading!

Happy reading!

Education...enjoy the journey!

Stephanie Van Horn

Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time

Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time

One Year Later

Year One of the Math Rapmatics Journey

On April 17, 2011 I shared the news of Math Rapmatics with the world. I was extremely excited and nervous, but more than anything I was hopeful. I was hopeful that the math raps in the book would create a new way in which children could experience math. Children in my classes would say, "Mrs. Van Horn you make math fun. It's usually so boring!" This was heartbreaking to hear from young fourth, third and second graders. I knew that my students benefitted from the math raps that I created to help those who were struggling with math concepts. So I decided to share some of my math raps through my very first published book. In my heart I wanted the comments about math to change. My mission was an enormous one, but I was up for the task.

As I look back on the first year I have to say that I am amazed by what I was able to accompish. I thank God for every door that was opened for me. I was the guest author at Monclaire Freedom School, Seigle Point Freedom School, two Funkytown Parties workshops and book readings, Lois Morgan Edwards Memorial Library, Mountain Island Charter School's "What's Your Story Book Festival," Park Road Books Story Time, Sandy Ridge Elementary's WinterFest and Bain Elementary Scholastic Book Fair.  Furthermore, Math Rapmatics can be checked out of all libraries in Union County, NC. It is used by the second grade teachers at Mountain Island Charter School to teach math. It is also in several daycares that have high academic pre-school programs. Recently, Charlotte Freedom Schools purchased 27 copies of Math Rapmatics to be used at all of its locations. Knowing that my book will be used to inspire children in my community who live below the poverty line is just incredible. I've met hundreds of parents and students who have congratulated and thanked me for caring about children enough to place my work into a book.

I will never forget the day I rapped my book in an outdoor setting. The summer sun was hot that August morning in 2011, nonetheless, the students were both eager and excited to hear from me. The students responded well to the concepts in the book due to the rap format. During the question segment of the program a young boy around age 7, gave me the best compliment ever about Math Rapmatics when he said, "Your book...is a party book." In a simple and sweet sentence he captured the entire vision of my book. Amazing.

Seigle Point Freedom School, August 2011

Words can not express how grateful I am for every kind word, every supportive hug, every opportunity to promote the book and for every book purchased. It has been tough at times, but also extremely rewarding.

I thank you and I  thank you.

Please help me celebrate year one of this incredible journey by sharing the following sites with friends, family and business associates. There are many more children I want to inspire with Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time. More importantly there are many more children who need to be inspired!

For more information see:

www.stephanievanhorn.com or www.facebook.com/educational.journey

FREEDOM PARTNER SCHOOLS and MATH RAPMATICS!!!



  Math Rapmatics Math Boxes

During the summer of 2011 I was invited to read my first published work, "Math Rapmatics: Mathematical Rhymes Right On Time" at Montclaire Freedom School and Seigle Point Freedom School. I wanted to inspire the children to love the process of learning by rapping my book to them. Instead, I was the one who was inspired. At both schools I found young people who were ready to learn and take on the world. Their enthusiasm level and self-confidence galvinized me.

At Seigle Point Freedom School, Tammy Sanders, joined the students and teachers to hear me read Math Rapmatics. Tammy Sanders works at the headquarters for Freedom Schools. It was a gorgeous summer morning and we were outside under a picnic shelter. The birds were flying, the cars were whizzing by and behind us stood the skyscrapers of downtown Charlotte. Such a beautiful setting! I was introduced by one of the scholars and I began the Math Rapmatics CD. I rapped...they danced. I rapped...they clapped. It was such an interactive gathering. I was blessed by how much they enjoyed the math raps. After I was done, we looked for congruent and symmetrical shapes in the environment. Then I took questions from the scholars. It was at this gathering that a scholar said, "Your book...is a party book!" Wow...that statement hit home because those words embodied the purpose of Math Rapmatics...to make learning a natural and fun process.

A few months later Tammy Sanders contacted me with AMAZING news. She wanted to purchased a copy of Math Rapmatics for every Freedom Partner School in Charlotte!  In fact, she had built math boxes to supplement the lessons of my book. Starting in 2012, hundreds of students in Charlotte will be rapping, dancing and most importantly learning! I was thrilled . It's my desire for children to pursue knowledge always. They are our future leaders. The time to invest in them is always right now.

I want to thank Freedom Partner Schools for supporting a local author. I am so moved by what I experienced last summer. Knowing that all 25 locations will be including Math Rapmatics into the curriculum is simply amazing. Look out Charlotte...get ready for inspired mathematicians everywhere. If you see them rapping do yourself a favor and join them!

Education...enjoy the journey!