You can bring the Magic of Math to your school this 2014 school year!!

The Math Magician

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Magician/272971359454909

http://www.odysseylearningadventures.com/

Does your school need a boost in mathematics?

Do your students need some math motivation?

Do your teachers need some new ideas in math?

Does your school need a memorable event focused on your math improvement goals?

You can bring the Magic of Math to your school this 2014 school year!!

Bob Bishop, America’s Math Magician, is back  with a newer, larger and more exciting program for 2014!

Math Magic Family Night program!!

Math should be fun, entertaining, challenging, and memorable.

The Math Magician’s programs are interactive, informative, fun  and definitely memorable!!

Total audience involvement for the entire school family!!

Participants will learn about:

•  The power and importance of mathematics
• The magic of probabilities
•  The magic of equality
•  The power of the mind and effort to achieve school success
•  The adventure and excitement of mathematics
• The power of perseverance in school
•  Escaping from Brain Chains
•  The power of  Additude

The Math Magician can visit your school and teach students, teachers and coordinate a family Magic of Math evening.  But because of availability this is on a first come first serve basis. 
Book him now!!

His schedule fills up quickly!

Contact Bob Bishop The Math Magician at:
odysseylearningadventures@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Magician

“I have never seen my students more spellbound for 60 minutes as they were for Bob Bishop, the Math-Magician. His program generated many interesting discussions later in the classroom setting.””Mr. Bishop’s activities make math an exciting mind expanding experience.”

“I thought it was very well thought out, rich with ideas and materials, and enjoyable.”

“Fast paced with a wealth of useful information.”

“Wonderful activities to use with my students. Right on target!”

As you know, Bob Bishop has been known as Idaho’s Math Magician for more than 20 years. He has gained media notoriety as the Math Magician from television to countless newspaper articles (including the Idaho Statesman Life Section). He has won many awards for teaching and his students have also won many scholarly awards. He was awarded the GEM award for teaching Idaho’s gifted students. He has taught the gifted students in Boise for 15 years, has helped coordinate Micron’s Math Meet, has taught BSU and NNU classes in teacher development in mathematics, has taught for the Bureau of Education (BER), is a certified in Brain-based educator, has taught ICTM math conventions and Edu-fest gifted conference for 17 years. He has presented to teachers and students from Boston to Los Angeles to Taiwan to California, and in Idaho.

Education leaders in Idaho consistently hear from employers and colleges and universities in Idaho that Idaho students do not have the math skills they need to succeed in the work force or a postsecondary education setting when they graduate from high school. Scores on statewide assessments also show a troubling trend in math as students move through our K-12 system: Therefore, we must improve math education across all grades in Idaho to ensure we prepare every student to live, work and succeed in the 21st century.

“I have a vision to visit every elementary classroom  to help equip teachers and students with the art and joy of learning mathematics. There are many bored, non-engaged students who have a lack of understanding in numeracy skills. What I would like to offer is the Magic of Math to change attitudes and to ignite motivation for math success.”

Bob has coordinated his Family Math nights for more than 20 years. And for a selected few schools he will come for a week-long resident Math Magician. Bob would visit every classroom and give unique student workshops that blend hands-on activities, interactive games, and math magic that the teachers can build upon. He would also provide inservice training for the teachers by providing state and nationally aligned games and activities that will empower teachers with methods to teach the curriculum in motivating and memorable ways.

No other program comes close to the benefits of the Magic of Math!

Contact Bob Bishop, The Math Magician

odysseylearningadventures@gmail.com

http://www.odysseylearningadventures.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Magician

208-921-7981

Motivation

Motivation for students to succeed in math.

Attitude

Attitude change in students for mathematics.

Guidance

Guidance for teacher effectiveness and student improvement.

Innovative

Innovative teaching ideas.

Competency

Competency and confidence in mathematics.

The Cost?

Family Math Night $700

Math Magic week: $500 a day of 50-60 min. classes. Teacher inservices $300 plus price of workbooks.

Be sure you ask how Tutor Doctor can help sponsor this event!!

“In my experience working with students I have noticed a continued weakness in math skills and a need to teach math in a way that will inspire elementary students to love math at an early age. “The idea that would help address this need and dovetail with your schools  Math Goals is a hands-on interactive school program for all elementary school age students. It is a vision of bringing the Magic of Math programs to every elementary classroom in Idaho to help equip teachers and students with the joy of learning and teaching mathematics. ”

What the Math Magician offers is an additional boost of excitement and enthusiasm for math.

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Magic Castle of Hollywood
Fox News
Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees
Special Olympics World Games Fund Raiser Banquet
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Camp River Run (for kids with life threatening illnesses)
Funny Bone Comedy Club
Boise State University
Edu-fest Conference for Teachers of the Gifted Banquet
Council of Exceptional Children Teachers Banquet
Morrison Academy Schools (Taiwan)
Thunder Mountain Railroad
Boise Little Theater Public Show
Boise State University
Boy Scouts of America
Double Tree Riverside Hotel
Hewlett-Packard
Boise School District Schools
Meridian Joint School District

Boys and Girls Club of Ada Cty
Boys and Girls Club of America
Boys and Girls Club of Nampa
Boise Family YMCA
Caldwell Family YMCA
Homecourt YMCA
West Family YMCA
Applebee’s Restaurant
Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant
On the Border Restaurant
Boise Hawks
Awana Clubs
Boise Public Library
Boy Scouts of America (Boise)
Discovery Center of Idaho
Just For Kids Daycare
MagicFest of Twin Falls
Overland Park Cinema

---

Math Magician helps Students to Want to Study Numbers USA

POCATELLO, IDAHO – A new spin has been put on mathematics as Tendoy Elementary students use some magic to study various math concepts.

Bob Bishop, the Math Magician, has delighted students in kindergarten through sixth grade and teachers with his magic skills and math abilities over the past week.

“Math is so necessary in life,” he said. “It’s not just making math fun, but it’s also trying to attach some sense of understanding for students.”

Fifth grade teacher Vicki Reeder’s class had the opportunity to spend some time with Bishop while working on problem solving skills. Students worked with calculators, the box of magic, learned how to do multiplication tables with their fingers, played a game called Fast and Loose and other activities.

During a game of fast and loose, Bishop produced a single chain and proceeded to fold it into a series of loops. Students were asked to pick a loop and place their finger inside it. If they had guessed correctly the loop would stay around their finger. However, if they guessed incorrectly, the loop would slip away.

“You will win if you know mathematics, but you’ll lose if you don’t,” Bishop said.

Students learned how to follow the loops and determine the correct place to put their fingers.

Bishop has been performing for students and other audiences for 20 years and says he continually teaches students and teachers how math can be fun.

He said many students work with arithmetic but don’t fully understand problem solving skills.

With the help of a little magic, students are forced to observe the environment around them for any changes and think about possible outcomes.

“Generally students don’t really care to do math because it’s not fun,” Bishop said. “By making it interesting and proving to them they can do it, it helps to raise their self-esteem and interest level in math.”

Bishop will perform along with Tendoy Elementary students at 6:30 p.m. today for a Math Night.

Fifth grade student Quinci Shelley is acting as Bishop’s assistant during the show and said she can’t wait to perform for other students.

“I think it’s cool and it’s a good opportunity for us,” she said. “Some people don’t like math, but when they see this show it sparks their interest.”

Fifth grade student Brant Leo will lead the audience in applause, but said working with Bishop has been great because he’s learned new things.

“He’s helping students to improve their math by using cool tricks,” he said.

“Bob Bishop is a creative and a genius at making math fun. “

“By making math fun, students will learn to enjoy it more and it will give them a sense of pride as they figure out difficult problems,” he said.

WHAT YOUR COLLEAGUES SAY ABOUT BOB BISHOP

“This has been the most energizing seminar I have ever attended in 37 years as a teacher. The book is absolutely awesome and every page is a true gem. I’ve been feeling very burned out but now I feel that I can do my best again. I wish all my administrators and teachers could benefit from Bob’s energy and message. Thank you for letting me see that there are still educators who believe in children as people and not as numbers on a chart. I have decided not to retire!”
Diena Hurtado Teacher, Anaheim, California

“Bob has a unique way on engaging his audience- whether they are children or adults. They are captivated by his humor, his intelligence, and gentle manner. Bob teaches in such a way that the participants don’t even realize they are being challenged and taught something at the same time. I would attend any workshop or class Bob taught, knowing that I will come away with more skills and knowledge than when I walked in– and have fun while doing it!”
Sue March 6th grade Cynthia Mann Elementary

“When Bob Bishop teachers he is articulate, expressive, and engages the learner in the adventure and discovery of learning. Young or old, Bob Bishop prompts the learner into new territory where learning is once again, fun, worthwhile, relevant, and meaningful.”
Scott Ziemer Teacher/Counselor

“The exposure to the wit and wisdom of Bob Bishop has indelibly impressed upon me his dedication to his students and effective teaching, his commitment to include humor in his presentations and personal interactions, and his personal high standards of achievement for himself and his students. Observing Bob will stimulate recollections of Socrates and Aristotle-Socrates for his incessant use of questions, and Aristotle for his demand for evidence for student opinions.”
Larry Rogien Education Dept. Head Boise State University

“Bob Bishop’s special skills as an educator, creative teacher, author, curriculum developer and professional magician put everything he teaches into sharp focus. His research abilities, creative style, high energy deliveries, practical applications and humor make him a sought-after presenter. This mixture of experience as a magician and educator makes his presentations a unique blend of entertainment and sound pedagogy. When you watch Bob, it is obvious that his desire goes beyond entertainment and instruction. Watching him work with a group of students, mixing magic and mathematics, is to be amazed at his ability to completely involve a very difficult audience. Nick Johnson Middle school teacher/ President of Math-Explosion

“Bob Bishop, math wizard extraordinaire, presented his hallmark math antics, games, and puzzles before parents and students at our first family math night. The cafetorium was packed with kids having fun with numbers. We gave Bob and the event a 10. The kids loved the wizard and so did we!”
Debbie Hertzog PTA President Seven Oaks Elementary

“Fantastic! Captivating! Challenging! Thorough! Creative! Very Knowledgeable! Humorous! Engaging! Committed! Gifted and talented teacher. Bob Bishop is a master teacher who makes learning come alive for his students. He can take any topic and present it in a way that allows new insights. Prepare to be both challenged and entertained.”
Cheryl Richardson Hillcrest GATE Center

“Bob’s fast paced yet calm presentations sparkle with wit and humor. His years of classroom experience and connection with children are reflected in examples to which every teacher relates. He applies his in-depth knowledge of brain-based learning in his classroom and in his presentations. Bob is a unique presenter. You will remember this presentation and use the material in it.”
Rita Hoffman, Gifted Program Supervisor, Boise School District

“Bob is energizing, motivating and …fun!!!! He makes you think, analyze, debate, and enjoy all at the same time. A session with Mr. Bishop is always worth attending because you never leave ‘empty minded’.”
Linda Stokes GATE teacher Collister Elementary School

“Bob Bishop is an amazing educator! He brilliantly enriches the lives of all children and freely gives of his time. He engages all learners in exciting, stimulating, and challenging activities that motivates, enriches, and develops their love of learning.”
Jaci Guilford 4th grade teacher

Mr. X and Wild Thing

The Math Magician Expand your brain with Mr. X!!

Bob Bishop is internationally known as the Math Magician. He visits many school each year to share the wonder of math. He has traveled from Boston to Los Angeles to Taiwan amazing and motivating teachers and students.Appearing as Mister X (The Illusionist), The Math Magician, Einstein, or even the Zany Dr. Lamebrain, he teaches teachers with keynotes and workshops and gives students long remembered workshops and assemblies. His classroom experience and training in brain-based education gives him unique insight into the vital need for quality math education to keep our country on the innovative edge.Bob Bishop, creator of Odyssey Learning Adventures, has loved math, games, and puzzles since he was a child. He shares from his passion to motivate students to love math. He has been a classroom teacher for Elementary, High School and Middle school for over 20 years.

Bob’s commitment and passion for math are obvious as he teaches. Bob’s programs are fun, dynamic and intellectually engaging.

Like ·  · Share

Mr. X, The Math Magician

Mr. X, The Math Magician, is now booking school family math nights for the Fall and Winter. Bob Bishop is internationally known as America’s Math Magician. He visits many school each year to share the wonder of math. He has traveled from Boston to Los Angeles to Taiwan amazing and motivating teachers and students.

Introducing Mr. X The Math Magician

Mr. X, The Math Magician, is now booking school family math nights for the Fall and Winter. Bob Bishop is internationally known as America’s Math Magician. He visits many school each year to share the wonder of math. He has traveled from Boston to Los Angeles to Taiwan amazing and motivating teachers and students.

Two new workshops by Mr. X the Math Magician!!

1. Neuro-magical Motivation in the Classroom.

How do you make “magic” happen in the classroom? What if you could motivate hearts to yearn and minds to learn? What if you could produce engaging learning moments that would build lasting intrinsic motivation in your students? In this workshop Bob Bishop (Idaho’s Math Magician and award winning teacher) will take you on an exciting adventure of state-of-the-art brain research-based strategies that will arouse curiosity, enhance understanding, engage reluctant learners and stimulate under-achievers. Using recent discoveries in neuroscience with how magicians think and perform magic, Bob will teach you the “magic wonder words” and the engaging activities that will make magic happen in your classroom!

2, Neuro-magical Mathematics in the Classroom.

Experience the magic of your brain on math!! Bob Bishop (Idaho’s Math Magician) will reveal some of his most favorite secrets of math magic. He will discuss performance, psychology, and the math behind the magic of some of the best math illusions. You will experience the wonder of math and teach math concepts in a “magical” way. Come if you want a hands-on, minds-on workshop that will give you many tricks-of-the-trade to add to your wonder and enjoyment of the Magic of Math. Using recent discoveries in neuroscience with how magicians think and perform magic, Bob will take you on an unforgettable magical adventure in mathematical neuro-magic in the classroom.

Bring the Magic of Math to your School!!!

Bob Bishop (Mr. X) has been known as Idaho’s Math Magician for 17 years. He has visited hundreds of schools in Idaho as well as other states and internationally.   He has gained much media notoriety as the Math Magician from television to many newspaper articles (including the Idaho Statesman Life Section).  Bill Roberts of the Idaho Statesman says, “He focuses on showing kids the fun angles of math and helping students overcome “math-a phobia”. Bob has spoken at the Idaho School boards Association convention and has won many awards for teaching and his math students have also won many math awards.  He was recently awarded the GEM award for teaching Idaho’s gifted students. He has helped coordinate Micron’s Math Meet for over 12 years, has taught university classes in teacher development in mathematics, has taught for the Bureau of Education (BER), and is certified in Brain-based education, has taught ICTM math conventions and have been a trainer at the Edu-fest gifted conference for 16 years.   Recently he presented his Magic of Math program as well as his Thinking like a Genius (playing the role of Albert Einstein) to the teachers and students in Taiwan.

Bob says,

“In my experience working with students I have noticed a continued weakness in math skills and a need to teach math in a way that will inspire elementary students to love math at an early age.

The idea that would help address this need and dovetail with the Math Initiative is a hands-on interactive school program for all elementary school age students.  It is a vision of bringing the Magic of Math programs to every elementary classroom in Idaho to help equip teachers and students with the joy of learning and teaching mathematics.  What it offers is an additional boost of excitement and enthusiasm for math.

 What I would like to offer is the Magic of Math presentations.  I, as the Math Magician, would visit schools and teach students, teachers and coordinate a family Magic of Math evening.  I have coordinated math nights for many years with great success. 

I have many testimonials from teachers and parents about the benefits of the Magic of Math program (from the teacher inservices of games and activities, class visitations and math nights) you may read upon request. 

As a resident Math Magician, I would like to visit every classroom of  the schools desiring this program and give standard based grade aligned activities that would blend hands-on activities, interactive games, and math magic (discrepant math events that inspire inquiry and investigations) that the teachers can build upon.

I would provide inservice training for the teachers by teaching state and nationally aligned math games and activities that will empower teachers with methods to teach the school curriculum in motivating and memorable ways. This would parallel the professional development training that the teachers are receiving.

Trained in brain-compatible teaching methods, I would train teachers to motivate students to learn math and problem solving techniques.”

Bring the Magic of Math to your School this year!!!

For more information see http://odysseylearningadventures.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Magician/272971359454909?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/MrXCorporateMagician

What’s going on with Mr. X?

Mr. X, the Magician, (AKA Bob Bishop) has been busy performing his unique shows. Recently he has been busy performing at conventions, restaurants, parties, conferences and businesses.

He has been creating Magical Moments that leave a lasting impression!  If you are an event planner needing an illusionist or close-up magician for your conference, awards dinner or party, Mr. X is your best choice!

Take a look at my face book and get as many people as you can to Like it.

Our goal is to get 500 by May 25^th!!

Look it up and see what you think.

https://www.facebook.com/MrXCorporateMagician

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Math-Magician/272971359454909

Web page is http://www.odysseylearningadventures.com/

The Creative Magic of Mr. X

“Bob’s performance served to bring the conference to a fun climax because the audience saw the speakers having fun; their topics highlighted and were amazed at the illusions and roaring with laughter at the humor.”

Bob Bishop is a motivational speaker, magician, amusionist and educator. Thousands of audiences and groups have experienced the creative magic of Bob. He has performed in New Jersey, Detroit, Pasadena, Taiwan and Idaho. You may have seen him performing in many restaurants in Boise, at the 2009,2010 and 2011 Idaho’s Festival of Trees and Breakfast with Santa, or performing with Henry Winkler at the World Special Olympics fund raiser banquet.

He is more than a magician, more than a motivational speaker and more than storyteller. His goal is to spark the creative magic in everyone he speaks to. For more than two decades he has entertained and inspired individuals to live up to their potential. Bob has a passion to bring wonder, to ignite creativity and to inspire others to make a difference.

Why Mister X?
With thirty years as a professional magician (performing for restaurants, bookstores, schools, conventions, conferences, banquets, parties, trade shows and libraries), Mister X knows how to create memorable magical interludes for any age.

Not only does Mr. X perform on stage and parties, he specializes in close-up performances.
Table side or walk around magic can help your restaurant or gathering run smoothly by offering classy casual fun while guests are waiting or in between conversations.
Mister X performs miniature magic shows that will lock that special event in the minds of the guests. He is an expert at creating unique innovative magical effects that are designed especially for your needs. Mister X (Bob Bishop) creates Memorable Moments in Magic by:
*Involving audience members in the magical presentations
*Hooking the audiences’ emotions with sensory impact
*Freezing the magical effect (and your product or event) in the minds of the spectators
*Transforming borrowed objects magically to incorporate product slogans and company names
*Creating unique innovative effects designed especially for your company or event needs

Moving from table to table, the Roving Wizard serves a 5-10 minute program right on the table top of your guests. The Table side Conjurer creates his show out of the barest essentials–miniature props he carries around in the pockets of his tuxedo and humorous stories to go along with them.

Magic on television may seem unbelievable, but moved to only a foot away it becomes totally unexplainable. And because Mister X is so close to his audience, he involves the guests in every illusion.

Mister X (AKA Bob Bishop) has appeared in the News and the Idaho Statesman many times. He is known in Idaho as the Math Magician and also uses illusions and magic as an educational tool with elementary school students. His humor, sleight of hand, showmanship and creativity make Mister X a popular guest speaker, stage entertainer, close-up magician and “Amusionist”.

“Professional” “ humorous” “ amazing” “motivational”

Mister X excels as an experienced expert at exhibiting extraordinary, exhilarating and explosive magical experiences.

 

Mr. X Corporate Magician Facebook Page

Bob Bishop has been busy with magic shows for conventions and corporations.  Take a look and you will see him at the Edufest Gifted conference in Idaho, the Council for Exceptional Children conference, the Festival of Trees and World Special Olympics fundraiser banquet.

http://www.facebook.com/MrXCorporateMagician

If you are a meeting or event planner and need an illusionist or close-up magician for your conference, awards dinner or party, Mr. X is your best choice! Bob Bishop is a motivational speaker, magician, amusionist and educator. Thousands of audiences and groups have experienced the creative magic of Bob. He has performed in New Jersey, Detroit, Pasadena, Taiwan and Idaho. You may have seen him p…erforming in many restaurants in Boise, at the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Idaho’s Festival of Trees and Breakfast with Santa, or performing with Henry Winkler at the World Special Olympics fund raiser banquet.

“Bob’s performance served to bring the conference to a fun climax because the audience saw the speakers having fun; their topics highlighted and were amazed at the illusions and roaring with laughter at the humor.”

Contact him for availability for your next function.

http://www.facebook.com/MrXCorporateMagician

www.odysseylearningadventures.com

 

Christmas Magic through the Eyes of a Child

Magic Through the eyes of a Child

Dr. Lamebrain performing one of his most baffling illusions

If you following this link you will see me perform one of my favorite magic tricks.

http://www.facebook.com/v/2125775518249

For information for having Bob as a guest speaker or for products you will find him on the web at……..

http://www.odysseylearningadventures.com/

Introduction to Math Magic

Mr. X gives an introduction to the concepts, uses and applications of Math Magic.  This is the first of a dozen math magic videos.  There are some math magic tricks coming soon.

To find more information explore  http://www.odysseylearningadventures.com/

Attending Winter Edufest Gifted Conference 2011 in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho

by Bob Bishop

With the theme Mission Possible: Ideas take flight, the Winter Edufest in Coeur d’ Alene, we were invited to taste the flight of ideas. 

The keynote presentation was performed by Scott Shepherd whose award winning impersonations of Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Monet and Michelangelo have awed audiences for years.  To this privileged audience Scott produced an original opus reflecting a dream similar to a Native American “vision quest.” It portrayed a frustrated artist who had lost confidence for his talent. He was visited by an eagle and a dragon whose conflicting perspectives give him insights that enable him to soar.  Using concepts from aero-dynamics and quotations from a myriad of geniuses from the past, Scott Shepherd gave inspiration to propel our lives by curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm and dedication.

Here is a summary of Scott Shepherd’s flying lessons. The gravity of personal importance, popularity, dominance and fixation on winning weighs us down. Drag is the resistance (such as money, stuff, superiority, and control) that pulls us back. Whereas lift (the awareness or attitude that pulls us up higher) is based on listening, appreciation, generosity, and kindness.  Our thrust, our purpose that pulls us forward, is curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm and dedication to purpose.  

This challenging presentation was fitting for this Edufest whose theme was Mission Possible: Ideas take flight.  It was also perfect for teachers of the gifted who desire to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of their students.

Taking off from this excellent keynote, participants had a feast of choices. 

-Diane Gilmire and Beth Brubaker ignited our creative artist within by wowing our senses with hands-on art lessons to wake-up learning. They even took us on an observation lesson with a “Private Eye” loupe that magnified our concentration, critical thinking and creativity.

-Karen Rogers, a master researcher, influential author (Reforming Gifted Education) and spokesperson for the direction of gifted education, shared from her wealth of knowledge to the administrators, counselors and parents.  Her topic was the ten “musts” of educating gifted learners appropriately and fully.

-Suzanne McPherson shared about the construction of a solid literacy model and practical creative ideas for teaching poetry to the gifted student.  She also presented a double session on the challenges of autism and the twice-exceptional child.

-Bob Bishop (Idaho’s Math Magician) shared from his wealth of knowledge and years of teaching about how to train gifted students to think like a problem solver.  He also amazed a “standing room only” crowd with examples of his original math magic.

-Jean Peterson, an award winning teacher and prolific writer, spoke on the social-emotional development of the gifted student and how to motivate gifted underachievers.

-Margo Long, with her provocative and enthusiastic presentation style challenged us with the application from Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Drive by Daniel Pink and The Talent Code: Greatness isn’t Born, It is Grown by Daniel Coyle.

-Mike Beck astonished everyone with his hands-on science expertise, kinetic art, automata and 3-dimensional interactive artistry.

-Christine Deitz inspired and challenged us with teaching habits of the mind with Dr. Seuss.  She also shared on teaching bias and point of view.

-Linda Stokes, award winning teacher, shared an exciting session on fabulous new literature books for the gifted and how to draw across-the-curriculum connections.

-Bonnie Cramond shared the thirteen thinking tools used by creative thinkers in all fields with their application to different content areas and at different levels.  She also shared a spectacular closing keynote on how creativity and innovation must be basic skills for the 21^st century gifted student.

-Kathie Nunley, popular author and speaker, shared a luncheon keynote about education and brain research. This was an exciting synthesis of comedy and brain research entitled: A Student’s Brain-How it Works.   This had a group of more than 200 teachers laughing at her hilarious insights and applications of how brain research applies to teaching.

Over lunch the convention was wowed by the Sorensen Gifted School’s talented dancers, jugglers, percussion players and singers.

To top off the last day, Marcia Wall invited us to an evening at the Chocolate Affair Art Tour.  We perused several galleries in downtown Coeur d’ Alene and tasted many varieties of imported and locally made chocolate.

Winter Edufest, with inspiration from the keynotes and the 34 excellent sessions, was definitely a successful winter premier conference!  

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to be.”  Leonardo DaVinci

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Fresher than ever.

Crunchy numbers

A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 26,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 35 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 128 posts.

The busiest day of the year was October 18th with 193 views. The most popular post that day was Success Quotes Collected by Elementary Students.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were google.com, destiny, facebook.com, davidcookofficial.com, and mariaozawa2u.blogspot.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for quotes that make you think twice, quotes to make you think twice, humorous questions, funny quotes that make you think twice, and questions that make you think twice.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Success Quotes Collected by Elementary Students September 2009

2

Humorous Questions That Make You Think Twice September 2009
3 comments

3

When Bright Kids Get Bad Grades September 2009
1 comment

4

More Humorous Questions that make You Think Twice January 2010
1 comment

5

Tips for parents: Gifted underachievers — What’s a parent to do? August 2009

Performance Pictures of Bob Bishop

These are pictures of Bob Bishop performing

in Taipei, Taiwan.

This picture is Bob Bishop performing at the Special Olympics Banquet in Idaho.

Math Magician helps Students to Want to Study Numbers USA

By Courtney Cobb – Journal Writer

POCATELLO, IDAHO – A new spin has been put on mathematics as Tendoy Elementary students use some magic to study various math concepts.

Bob Bishop, the Math Magician, has delighted students in kindergarten through sixth grade and teachers with his magic skills and math abilities over the past week.

“Math is so necessary in life,” he said. “It’s not just making math fun, but it’s also trying to attach some sense of understanding for students.”

Fifth grade teacher Vicki Reeder’s class had the opportunity to spend some time with Bishop while working on problem solving skills.

Students worked with calculators, the box of magic, learned how to do multiplication tables with their fingers, played a game called fast and loose and other activities.

During a game of fast and loose, Bishop produced a single chain and proceeded to fold it into a series of loops.

Students were asked to pick a loop and place their finger inside it. If they had guessed correctly the loop would stay around their finger. However, if they guessed incorrectly, the loop would slip away.

“You will win if you know mathematics, but you’ll lose if you don’t,” Bishop said.

Students learned how to follow the loops and determine the correct place to put their fingers.

Bishop has been performing for students and other audiences for 10 years and says he continually teaches students and teachers how math can be fun.

He said many students work with arithmetic but don’t fully understand problem solving skills.

With the help of a little magic, students are forced to observe the environment around them for any changes and think about possible outcomes.

“Generally students don’t really care to do math because it’s not fun,” Bishop said. “By making it interesting and proving to them they can do it, it helps to raise their self-esteem and interest level in math.”

Bishop will perform along with Tendoy Elementary students at 6:30 p.m. today for a Math Night.

Fifth grade student Quinci Shelley is acting as Bishop’s assistant during the show and said she can’t wait to perform for other students.

“I think it’s cool and it’s a good opportunity for us,” she said. “Some people don’t like math, but when they see this show it sparks their interest.”

Fifth grade student Brant Leo will lead the audience in applause, but said working with Bishop has been great because he’s learned new things.

“He’s helping students to improve their math by using cool tricks,” he said.

Bishop also worked with teachers after school and gave them various activities they can do with students in their classrooms.

“By making math fun, students will learn to enjoy it more and it will give them a sense of pride as they figure out difficult problems,” he said.

Bob Bishop in the News

Bob, the Mad Scientist Magician!!!!!

Bob Bishop has been busy teaching and performing.  He has created a large stage magic program seen on his website.  This program was performed at many YMCA and Boys and Girls clubs in Idaho.

Most recently he performed a motivational presentation with JohnTyler

Here is a a short video of John and Bob  at the Curb Cup Street Performer celebration in Boise Idaho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkGto4rgKIA

Here is a further description

http://www.gr8magic.com/robot_magician_17.html

Bob Bishop in the News

MagicFest 2009 in Twin Falls Twin Falls, ID
kmvt.com/news/local news (To the video follow this link)
By Rachael Giffoni Story Published: Aug 1, 2009 at 10:32 PM CDT

“It was a magical day in Historic Downtown Twin Falls, with the 2009 MagicFest in full swing.

The festival ran from July 31st and will continue to August 2nd.

The magic was coordinated by Kip Sherry Magic and six other Idaho magicians.

Magician Bob Bishop said, “We’ve been doing some close-up magic, some stage magic, illusions and card tricks and coin tricks, and a lot of laughter, a lot of comedy, just to bring joy to people.”

Merchants throughout historic downtown sponsored over 70 hours of individual magic performances. The show is an effort to boost the revitalization of historic downtown. It was about a year in the making.

For Bishop, it’s a chance to bring joy to others.

Bishop said, “I enjoy bringing happiness and joy to other people. There’s a lot of mystery. I think people have lost the mystery, the wonder of life. Magic is that fun way of bringing mystery and wonder back to life.”

Twin Falls Mayor Lance Clow says he hopes to make the magic show a permanent part of the Magic Valley.”

The Gift of Magic Show

Magicians to Headline a Free Community Event! BOISE – Boise Little Theater and The Jeker Family Trust have partnered to present ‘The Gift of Magic,’ a free magic show for the community, featuring well known Odyssey Illusion magicians, “Mister X” and Jason Byers. Two free performances are scheduled for August 22 at 3pm and 7pm at Boise Little Theater, located behind St. Luke’s Hospital in downtown Boise, 100 East Fort Street.

Boise Little Theater President, Wendy Koeppl, said of the performance, “This is a quality show and we are extremely pleased to host free of charge, this wonderful family event. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of The Jeker Family Trust, we are able to present a free magic show; it’s a terrific gift for the entire community.” ‘The Gift of Magic’ performances will feature talented magicians, “Mister X” (aka Bob Bishop) and Jason Byers.

Both magicians have been entertaining Idaho audiences for over a combined 50 years, with mastery illusions, humor, and mind-boggling magic. “Mister X” is known as the Math Magician and uses illusions and magic as an educational tool. Jason Byers is an award-winning illusionist and an expert in the art of deception. Children of all ages are guaranteed to enjoy ‘The Gift of Magic.’