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The Math-nificent Night at Manitou Park Elementary School on Nov. 12 from 5–7 p.m. was a huge success, and families enjoyed an evening of playing math games together and learning new fun ways to teach kids math at home.
Manitou Park purchased the math games from the Math & Stuff store in Seattle. The school bought $1,000 worth of math games two weeks prior to the event and Manitou’s fourth-grade students spent several days learning to play many of the games. The other Manitou Park students spent part of the day on Nov. 12 going room to room to learn the math games appropriate for their grade level. “Fourth graders were the math teachers that day,” said Vickie Erb, Manitou Park office coordinator. “They did a great job and have a new appreciation for what teachers go through. We all know how much work that can be!”
That evening, families visited different classrooms that offered math games and activities at specific grade and ability levels. Parents had a great time playing games with their children and observing the understanding in their children’s eyes. Families were also offered the opportunity to purchase their favorite games from Math & Stuff in the library, and many of Manitou Park teachers purchased games for their classrooms. Ten percent of the proceeds from these purchases will go towards more games for the school.
Healthy and “brainy” snacks were provided by Title 1. Square Foot Nutrition made “My Pyramid” chili. Families were invited to estimate ingredients and take recipes for the chili and lentil soup. “We appreciate the involvement of Square Foot Nutrition in many of our events,” said Erb.
The Manitou Park staff hopes that families will take these great ideas home and continue working with their children, using fun and interesting ways to teach the math. Erb added, “We will also be using math games as a supplement to the regular curriculum and are hoping that we may be able to begin our after-school math game session.”