In
an effort to deepen relationships with math by changing the way math is
experienced, the Carson City School District, students and teachers (in
partnership with Mind Research Institute) will
host special events and activities designed to create a passion for fostering
mathematical thinking
Fremont
Elementary School
will observe Math Madness Week, beginning
today, Oct. 24 through Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. Students, teachers, parents and
families will use the following link: mindresearch.org/fremont-math-week. Bordewich Bray, Fritsch
and Mark Twain Elementary Schools will observe Math Madness Week, Nov.
7-12, 2022 with the following link, which will not be live until November 5,
2022: mindresearch.org/carson-city-math-week.
Seeliger Elementary School will observe Math Madness Week, Jan. 30 to
Feb. 3, 2023.
According
to Shannon Slamon, K-12 Math Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator for the
Carson City School District, “The students of CCSD will engage in a variety of
math activities throughout the week. The goal is for students to connect the
mathematics they are learning in school to potential careers such as engineering,
finance, firefighting and culinary arts.”
Included
in the festivities will be a door decorating contest and themed dress-up days:
- Manipulative
Monday:
Students will engage in a variety of symmetry and fraction tasks using pattern
blocks. Staff and students are encouraged to dress in clothing that makes
them feel mathematically awesome.
- Tech
Tuesday:
Students and teachers will engage in math games that were created by Mind
Research to have fun while learning core math strategies. The dress-up day
for Tuesday is Math is my SuperPower Day.
- Word
Problem Wednesday: Students will solve multistep word problems using
AVID strategies. Staff and students are asked to dress in their dream math
career attire.
- Think
About It Thursday: Students will utilize youcubed
activities that focus on a positive math mindset. Staff and students can
dress up in clothing with numbers.
“A
team of teachers from the elementary schools in the Carson City School District
collaborated to create exciting activities for students, staff and parents that
encourage celebrating mathematics,” Slamon indicated.
According
to Mind Research, “When we change the narrative of when, where, how and how
often we engage with math during annual week-long observances such as Math
Madness Week, we can change preconceived attitudes for parents and families and
ultimately create more long-lasting positive math experiences and culture for
students that supports their mathematical appreciation and allows them to become
drivers of innovation.”
Studies
show that by 2023, there will be more than 9 million jobs in science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and that these positions are
expanding faster than non-STEM jobs. Additionally, studies have shown that
critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed using rigorous
mathematics curricula can play a big role in building students' confidence and
leadership abilities.