TV help that adds up

dothemath082:

This happy “Math X” contest winner got to solve her problem live on Do the Math with host Michael Cushine and received some nice prizes, too.

dothemath083:

Veteran Do the Math teachers Barbara Parr (front) and Carreen Hinds doing what they do best — helping students solve math problems.

Do the Math on TV is back, live, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. on Bright House Networks Ch. 15. But the action and benefits for students who need help with their math homework starts well before that with certificated math teachers taking calls and working problems over the phone with students from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Students desiring a little extra help with their math homework can dial the Do the Math help lines, (661) 636-4357 and toll free (866) 636-6284, 3:30-5:30 p.m., to have problems solved over the phone. Some callers will have their problems worked live on TV between 4 and 5 p.m.

"Why does it work," said KETN Coordinator John Lenko who has been directing the show since it first went on the air. "Because the tutors seem like friends. They stay with the student for however long it takes to solve the problem. They make sure they have the building blocks to figure out the problem and will take them back to basics if that is needed. They are the caller’s personal tutor, one-on-one until the problem is solved. And there is the entertainment factor. The students like going on live. TV is fun."

There is more than one avenue open for solving problems. Students can also review archives of past programs on the Internet by clicking on the Do the Math link at http://www.kern.org.

Do the Math originates from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, where it was developed. All instruction and tutoring adheres to California Department of Education curriculum standards. The program also includes fun features and contests. Returning is Michael Cushine, a real honest-to-goodness math instructor, who for the past five years has hosted the show. His daytime job is that of Gifted and Talented Education teacher with Stockdale Elementary School in Bakersfield. He draws on his years as a former radio personality, using his professional voice, sense of humor, timing and broadcasting savvy to keep the show entertaining and on pace.

"What keeps me coming back," Cushine asks. "The kids. It’s fun hearing from them, being able to help them and getting a chance to go out to different school sites to show them how much they can get out of tuning into Do the Math. We get a lot of repeat callers from year-to-year, and it’s pleasant remembering their voices and how much they have learned over the years."

Many of the same math tutors are still with the show, too. While they concentrate on solving problems for students live on the erase board, which can be seen from two camera angles, Cushine’s job is much like that of a ringmaster.

"It is tough working a problem, listening to a caller and keeping focused on the cameras," Cushine said. "My role is to keep up with what they are doing and step in if I see they need help. Most of the time that happens when a caller leaves out an important detail in the question they ask."

Major support for Do the Math comes from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Chevron, Castle and Cook and Bakersfield City School District. Additional support is provided by Golden Empire McDonald’s Owners and Operators, Kern High School District and Russo’s Books.

Do the Math Executive Producer Laurie Maclin juggles her time between keeping sponsors excited and involved with the show and recruiting a qualified and enthusiastic crew of local math instructors who serve as the phone tutors and TV anchors.

"We have received calls from as far away as Ventura County and some from those who may not have actually understood what the show's concept is," said Maclin. She has taken her turns answering the phones during the show. "Once a little girl called who was stuck on the meaning of two words and wanted to know which one to use in a sentence," said Maclin. "I told her, and she told me, 'you saved my life.'"

Helping to save more math lives this semester are local math teachers turned tutor/broadcasting personalities Chuck Kropp, Carreen Hinds, Barbara Parr, Mike Webb, Pam Johnson, Mike Prows and Debbie Stokes. During an average day between 60-100 students will call in to the show to have their problems solved.

"It’s live, unscripted and involves children — that brings so many elements of spontaneity to the show that it really is exciting to direct," Lenko said. "What you get is kids being kids, and the viewer gets to sit in on those live teaching moments as they are unfolding. You can expect anything — such as dogs barking in the background, a sibling dialing on another phone while the caller is asking a question or our anchors being put on hold while the caller goes to attend to something else. But through it all, we always work the math problem to its completion, even if we lose the caller. The beauty of having the programs archived on our Web site is that the caller can always go back and replay the show to see how to work the problem."

With dozens of shows archived, anyone with access to the Internet has the chance to view and learn from all that the tutors’ have covered during dozens of broadcasts.


Print This Page   Email This Page