The life of Bruce Silton, artist and designer, changed dramatically in March of 2000, when, at the age of 57, he left the familiar world of grown-ups to tutor children at a top-notch private school in sunny Clearwater, Florida. In the 17 years since that fateful moment, he has delivered approximately 17,000 tutoring sessions to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
“And that”, he says, “is a lot of quality time spent with young people. Of those students who find their way to my office, most are struggling with some aspect of reading, writing, math, history, geography or science – and occasionally all the above subjects at once.
“Tutoring children and young people in the science of mathematics and sharing with them the pleasures I have found in the world of math is the most rewarding and challenging adventure of my life.
“With the knowledge gained from this immense quantity and variety of one-on one teaching, compelled by the absolute necessity to turn their confusions into clear-eyed certainty, I have worked out how to teach math effectively.
“My intention in MathCreativity.com is to offer precise and detailed ideas, plans and methods that, when used correctly, will raise the quality of math education planetwide.”
“LIVING WITH MATH” is a comprehensive program to provide students with an abundance of high-quality, real-life applications for every major math topic learned from first through twelfth grades.
“LITERACY, MATHEMATICS and CREATIVITY” is an in-depth description of “literacy” and “math literacy” as they apply to the real world of the twenty-first century. This essay includes a statement of a new and desirable goal: “Creative Math Literacy”, with an innovative teaching method to help students achieve that goal.
“THE FUTURE OF NUMBERS” is a look at the mathematical universe that exists somewhere off the number line.
“THE OTHER SIDE OF MATH” is a six-step program for teachers and students to enhance a student’s inborn creativity in mathematics.
“MATHART SERIES ONE” consists of original, expressive art that brings to life the idea and emotion of creativity in the realm of mathematics.
“MATHART SERIES TWO” is Educational MathArt. It has the purpose of communicating the ideas and language of math as a subject to be studied, learned and used. But, since it is also art, the images are not only useful and practical but visually interesting.
“WELCOME TO BLASTER SCHOOL” is a short story that introduces my science-fiction heroine, Missie May Trofim, a 6-year-old, curly-blond, algebra whiz, poet and warrior — and future Empress of the 75,000 planets and stars of the Voluntari Federation.
“MATHWORDS” contains accurate, illustrated definitions of the most important math words that are needed to keep students really learning and using math in their lives.
“Before, when it was math time, I wouldn’t want to do math because I would get angry and confused. When I got my work back from the teacher, I would always have a bunch of problems wrong. It would make me even angrier, so I’d hate math even more. With Bruce’s help, I was able to get my understanding of math back in. I am competent with it now and have a much better understanding of how it works.”
From an Algebra 1 student - D.K. 2015
“During the Summer Break of one week, I worked by myself on my current Pre-Algebra. The results of tutoring are AMAZING! I could go through a lesson a day without even stopping once! This is something that has never happened before. This is a huge win for me.”
From a Pre-Algebra student - A.T. 2105
“Bruce, you have helped me with my math, like forever, and finally I’m good at it. Now I can be Student of the Week. Thanks, Bruce!!!”
From a 4th grade student - S.L. 2015
"I am happy that you are at the school. It is really fun to work with you. I love it when you help me with my math, writing and all my other work. You are a great man."
From a 3rd grade student - A.G. 2015
“When Bruce explains things to me, they are on the level that makes them easy to teach the kids. I feel confident in the info I get from him. He is an invaluable help to me in my job.”
From a 3rd grade teacher - L.H. 2016
“I never would have thought my son could enjoy math. You truly are amazing.”
From the mother of an 11th grade student - T.K. 2015
"When I was a kid, third grade Math is where I fell down. Bruce helped me clear up some basic concepts that have opened up and re-vitalized my love of learning. I look forward to doing more math and will ask Bruce whenever I have a question because he really knows his stuff."
From an assistant teacher - C.G, 2016