Written by:
Regina Byrnes, Instructional Math Coach
Morse students in grades 1 through 5 are racing to the finish of the school year by practicing math for an additional 10 minutes each day both in class and at home. The “
Race” began on June 1 and will end on June 23. Whichever grade has accumulated the highest number of math practice hours by June 23 will win ice cream party, compliments of Miss Pat. The second and third place finishers will be rewarded with a Popsicle party.
The Race started in order to generate some end-of-the-year enthusiasm and to promote math learning. The main focus is on knowing “math facts”, but students also get credit for just “doing” math for an extra 10 minutes a day at home. Additionally, teachers are adding an extra 10 minutes of math practice each day in their classrooms. All this practice time goes toward the grade level goal of 120 hours of additional math practice between June 1 and June 23 so that students have a strong finish in their math learning for the year.
Race to the Finish calendars were sent home for parents to verify the extra at-home practice, and each Monday, the weekly totals have been tabulated and the results posted on the
Race to the Finish bulletin board in the main lobby. Grade 2 students had achieved the initial 120 hours goal by the second week, and so the racetrack had to be extended. Grades 1 and 3 are in hot pursuit of grade 2, at press time. The
Race to the Finish and the bulletin board has generated a lot of enthusiasm and interest among the students who check daily to see who is in the lead and by how much. Who knows who the winner will be, or how many additional Math practice hours the Morse students will achieve? We have had fun “racing to the finish” of our school year!