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Category: Nifty Numbers, Math Medley and Gellin’ with Geometry Kits

Family Math Night and ESEA – What the Research Says

Family Math Night and ESEA – What the Research Says


Decades of research has clearly indicated that there is a strong relationship between family engagement and student academic success. According to Henderson and Mapp1, students whose parents are involved in their schooling, regardless of family income or background, are more likely to:

  • have higher grades and test scores
  • attend school regularly
  • have better social skills
  • show improved behavior
  • adapt well to school

Today’s schools know that educating our children requires a team effort and that building connections between families and schools is key to developing academic achievement for all children. One way to build these connections is through Family Math Night events. Hosting a Family Math Night can help build strong family-school partnerships, engage parents meaningfully, and contribute to achieving high standards.

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The Estimation Jars

The Estimation Jars


This year I decided to add the 0-120 number grids to my K-2 estimation jar. The number grids come from our Math Medley kits and kids can use dry eraser markers to “think” as they’re working out their estimation. Of course, there’s the thinking paper and the referents, as well.

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Pattern and the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics

Pattern and the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics

Mathematics is often described as the science of pattern.  Through looking for, reasoning about, and describing numeric and geometric patterns, students come to realize that mathematics reflects order and predictability.  This is a significant discovery because students who understand the power of patterns in math are more confident in their ability to do math.  So when the Common Core State Standards first came out and I didn’t see a whole lot about pattern and patterning activities in the early years,…

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Getting Folks to Your Family Math Night Event

Getting Folks to Your Family Math Night Event

If I had to pick one refrain that I hear from educators all over the country it’s How do we get families to come to our event? It’s obviously a common problem.  One that I don’t have a definitive answer for.  But I do have a few ideas that may help.  Some of them are tried and true and a few I just discovered along the way. . Dinner + Math We all know that parents are busy people.  Any…

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Hook Them with Geometry

Hook Them with Geometry

One of my goals for the beginning of the new school year was to get my students excited about math from the moment they walked in the door.  To do this I started our math lessons in the area (no pun intended!) of geometry through hands-on activities and projects.  I discovered that through allowing kids to design, create, and build – something all kids love – I could sneak in important ideas in math. But the other thing I discovered…

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