Local school hosts winter carnival with hands-on math activities for students

The Board of Education Work Session held on April 9, 2025, showcased a series of engaging math activities designed to enhance students' learning experiences. The session highlighted various interactive stations aimed at reinforcing math skills for kindergarten through second-grade students.

One of the standout activities was the counting ring toss, tailored for kindergarteners. Students participated by pulling task cards that presented numbers in different formats, such as objects or tally marks, and then tossing rings onto corresponding cones. Another popular event was the addition to 20 ring toss, where students solved math sentences involving two or three addends to build their addition fluency.

Subtraction bowling was also a hit among first and second graders, allowing them to practice subtraction skills in a fun environment. Kindergarteners were encouraged to join, providing them with a preview of future curriculum topics. The activity included a graphic organizer for students to record their results.

In addition to these games, the session featured a money fishbowl activity, reinforcing the second-grade standard of counting coins up to one dollar. Students threw ping pong balls into a fishbowl and calculated the total value of coins depicted at the bottom.

The event also included a "friends of 10 lucky duck" game, where students matched pairs of numbers that added up to ten, earning prizes for successful attempts.

Inside the library, two stations—Cybermath and Math Story Corner—offered students access to online math games and literacy resources that integrated math concepts. Families were encouraged to take home worksheets to continue practicing math skills outside the classroom.

In the cafeteria, students engaged in hands-on activities such as building 2D and 3D shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows, creating patterns with bracelets, and participating in games like Snowman Race to the Top. These activities not only reinforced math concepts but also fostered family bonding through collaborative play.

To support families, an information table provided resources on math strategies and the I Ready curriculum, ensuring parents had the tools to assist their children at home.

Overall, the event successfully combined learning with fun, creating an engaging atmosphere for students and families alike. The Board of Education emphasized the importance of such interactive experiences in enhancing students' mathematical understanding and fostering a love for learning.