Einstein – The Genius Who Could Not Do Math

Einstein – The Genius Who Could Not Do Math
Helen Taft: Science, Medicine, Inventions and tech

Skill: Elementary School
Time Required: Two to three class periods


Standards Compliance
NCSS Strand 3
People, Places, and Environments
NCSS Strand 5
Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
NCTE Standard 4
Students adjust the use of spoken, written, and visual language to communicate with different audiences and purposes.
NCTE Standard 5
Students use a wide range of strategies and elements to write to communicate with different audiences and for purposes.
NCTE Standard 8
Students use a variety of technology and information resources to gather, synthesize, and communicate knowledge.
NCTE Standard 12
Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes.
ISTE Standard 3
Technology productivity tools
ISTE Standard 5
Technology research tools

Introduction:

Science and technology were exploding during Helen Taft’s lifetime.  In 1905, one of the great mathematicians, Albert Einstein, proposed the General Theory of Relativity.  Albert Einstein was a brilliant mathematician, yet his least favorite subject in school was mathematics.  In fact, he did very poorly in school, once being removed altogether because of emotional instability.  His test scores were well below average except for his performance on tests of creativity.  Indeed, except for playing a musical instrument, the boy Albert seemed to have few interests and little or nothing in the way of career goals. 

Objectives:

Students will learn about the early life of Albert Einstein through in-class discussion and individual research. Students will explore their favorite and least-favorite subject in school and present their reasons to the class.

Materials Required:

Internet access (website suggestions listed in resources) Computer(s) Word processor (or paper and writing utensil) Printer Paper and letters for bulletin board

Procedures:

1.  Ask students if there is a subject that they like the best and the least and make two lists on the board. Continue the discussion by asking:
      a. Why is this your most/least favorite subject?
      b. Do you think it is important to learn the subject?  Why or why not?

2.  Ask students if they know who Albert Einstein was and if they can guess his least favorite subject in school.

3.  Since students may be unable to guess the correct answer, have students research Einstein’s early life.

4.  Have students write a one-page paper about their favorite subject and a similar one about their least favorite subject, and why they like or dislike the subject by giving at least two reasons.

5.  Create an “Albert Einstein” bulletin board with each subject listed at the top as a header.

6.  Have students write or print out the reason they like a subject on a piece of 3 inch by 3 inch paper and place it on the bulletin board under the correct subject heading. (If using the computer, students can also draw or insert a picture related to their favorite subject.)

7.  Allow students to explain to the class the reason they like a particular subject.

8.  Discuss Einstein's relatively poor performance in school in terms of what that might mean for students today who may not do as well as they are able.

Extending the Lesson:

  • Allow students to continue to add to the bulletin board throughout the year as they continue to learn more about their favorite subject(s).

Sources & Resources:


Websites:
Credits:
This lesson was developed by Marian Maxfield, Kent State University.

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