Michael Tannebaum

Alexus Sullivan “loves math” and was excited to discover new ways to improve her math skills with her mother, Anne Marie Drake.

Michael Tannebaum

Bruce Harper and his mother, Julie, use a deck of cards to play a math game they learned at Knightsville Elementary School’s Math Night.

At first glance, the classroom full of fifth-graders laughing, smiling and having fun doesn’t seem out of the ordinary. Upon further examination, however, something about this scene is unusual - the children are having a great time while immersed in various math exercises.

Knightsville Elementary School’s Math Night exemplifies teamwork as teachers, parents and students work together to make learning math a beneficial yet enjoyable experience. For each grade level, Knightsville offers periodic math workshops, which they encourage all students to attend with their parents.

At these workshops, kids and parents are taught numerous math games that they can play at home and are provided with flashcards and other accessories to enhance the student’s math skills. Teachers also spend time introducing the parents and students to helpful math-related websites.

“We really want tonight to be about parental involvement,” said Sandy Conroy, Knightsville Elementary Title I Facilitator. “It’s really important that we extend learning beyond the seven or eight hours that children are at school and one of the best ways to do that is at home with the help of parents.”

The parents in attendance brought their children because they realize how essential it is for their children to have a strong foundation in math.

“We came here tonight to learn some activities that we can do for math as part of our every day ritual,” said Anne Marie Drake, mother of fifth-grader Alexus Sullivan. “If you look around, math is used absolutely everywhere. It is so very important.”

At the most recent Math Night, parents also took in a brief presentation about the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test that their children take three times a year. This test provides teachers with feedback about each student’s strengths and weaknesses in a variety of skill areas such as reading and math. From this test, teachers can examine the results and unique instruction can be catered for each individual student to focus on those areas in which the child needs the most improvement.

“We’re showing parents about the techniques that we are using to help their children get better in math,” said fourth-grade teacher John Paul Sellars. “It’s important that parents be aware of the methods that their kids are using to learn.”

Conroy, the Title I Facilitator, believes that the role a parent plays in his or her child’s academic success cannot be overstated.

“Nowadays, with so many standards that children have to learn and master at such an early age, the stakes are so high,” said Conroy. “It is our hope that, at these workshops, parents will familiarize themselves with MAP testing, perform math exercises with their children and have a little fun in the process.”

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com

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