Math Week designed to change way math is experienced

In an effort to deepen relationships with math by changing the way math is experienced, the Carson City School District, 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 Oct. 24 through Oct. 27. Students, teachers, parents and families will use a link at mindresearch.org/fremont-math-week. Bordewich Bray, Fritsch and Mark Twain Elementary Schools will observe Math Madness Week, Nov. 7 to 12 with a link at mindresearch.org/carson-city-math-week.

Seeliger Elementary School will observe Math Madness Week from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2023.

According to Shannon Slamon, K-12 math curriculum and 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 said.

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.