The First Annual Family Math Nights hosted by each of the District's elementary schools were a huge hit with everybody involved. The focus of the evening was to help families learn firsthand how to use the "tools" and how to teach the concepts of the District's new K-2 math program, Everyday Math, at home.

Everyday Math emphasizes the application of mathematics to real world situations. Skills and concepts are linked to every day life. Students practice basic skills through "mental math" routines, practice (flash cards, etc.), review problems (homework) tests and math games.

One very important aspect of Everyday Math is an effort to enhance the home/school partnership. The program does this through "family letters" and "Home Links" which often require children to interact with parents, other adults or older children. Home Links instruct children to complete the activity with someone at home.

"Family Math Night" was an extension of this concept of forming a partnership with families to enhance learning. The K-2 teachers at each of the elementary schools in the District designed game rooms and made up "tool bags" for families to take home. The tool bags contained instruction sheets for the games that were played, dominoes, a deck of cards, dice and other items used in the games the families played during Family Math Night.

Families played games like "Beat The Calculator", "Addition Top-It", Dice-Roll and Tally Game", "Egg Nests", "Mancala" (the generic name for a group of games from ancient Africa and Asia), "Dominoes", etc.

Everybody seemed to have a good time, even the older siblings who were talked into coming along. "It was fun," responded a middle school boy on his way out.

When asked what the best part of the evening was for her, third grader Virginia Jackson responded, "The best part for me was spending time with my family, especially my mom, because she's usually sleeping during this time of the evening." Virginia's mom explained, "I work from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., but I took the evening off."

Related Link:

EVERYDAY MATH - Math curriculum used by K-2 students in the Riverhead School District. Great site for parents to learn about the program and get ideas.
http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/