A few years ago I created a fun sign-in where students wrote their name on a post-it note and added it to a large ten frame. I decided to re-visit the idea of signing in on a ten frame but this time with more of a focus on the math. Sign-In Table As families entered the event, students wrote their name on a colored pumpkin of their choice. (PDFs included below) Note: The pumpkins can be printed using Avery 4″ x 3.33″…
Objective One of our goals at Math Unity has always been to engage families in fun hands-on math activities that are linked to learning. We know that when schools and families partner together around the common goal of educating students, learning improves and students make greater academic gains. The objective for this study was two-fold. The first was to see if our games engaged families in hands-on math in a way that reinforced essential math skills. The second was to see…
Writing a Grant? We can help! All grants are different. It’s important to know exactly what the grant you are writing requires. For most grants you’ll need to describe: We have two templates for you to use: The templates can be helpful as you begin to write, but keep in mind that you’ll need to tailor your responses to your particular grant. Writing a Grant for A Family Math Night Event Kit:Driving Family Engagement with Family Math Nights The Reason…
Dr. Karen Mapp, renowned for her work on family engagement, asked the audience at the 2024 ESEA Conference to list 5 events or activities that schools are currently doing to engage families. She then asked the audience to circle the activities that fit all three of the following criteria: “This is how you do effective family engagement”, she said. It turns out that our K-5 Family Math Night events hit each of the criteria she listed for providing effective family engagement: One…
In my August newsletter I mentioned that I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Karen Mapp, renowned for her work on family engagement, speak at this year’s National ESEA Conference. Then over the summer I read her co-authored book Everyone Wins! The Evidence for Family-School Partnerships & Implications for Practice. In her presentation and throughout the book, Dr. Mapp underscored the importance of moving from informing parents and caregivers about their children’s learning to including families as active participants. It begins with building relationships through on-going conversations…