Lunch Box Math
West Maple Lunch Box Math 2010-2011
Math Pentathlon is a program of interactive problem-solving games. This program provides a highly motivated format for developing and practicing important mathematical concepts and skills while strengthening strategic thinking/problem solving abilities. A critical feature of this program is the linkage of arithmetic reasoning with geometric/spatial and logical/scientific thinking.
Each year West Maple students in 1st – 5th grades have the opportunity to learn and play these games with each other once a week during lunchtime and then to compete as a team against students from other area schools. Each of the 5 games played at each grade level rely to a great extent on the use of strategies involving deductive and inductive reasoning.
This is not mandatory! Not all children are interested or ready for these challenges. Please make the best choice for your child. Since children will be missing recess once a week to learn and play the games, we ask that you have a conversation with your child explaining that this is important to you. Each year we have some children who are upset and unwilling to attend the practice sessions; which cause problems for our volunteers and for other children who do want to participate.
All children who participate in the lunchtime, before or after school practice sessions are expected to attend the Mathematics Pentathlon Tournament for their grade.
The tournament dates are listed below; please check your calendars to see if you and your child are available that day to attend the tournament and have the time to volunteer to monitor the games.
Grade 1: Saturday April 16th at West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield
Grades 2 & 3: Saturday March 26th at Farmington High School in Farmington Hills
Grades 4 & 5: Saturday May 14th at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills
All Tournaments are from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, students and a parent MUST attend the entire Tournament that day. Parents are asked to pick a game to monitor at the tournaments. There will be an optional orientation meeting for adults only to learn about the program and become familiar with the games. We strongly recommend that you attend to learn more about this program if you think you would like your child to participate. This orientation will divide up into groups to review the games for each of the grades, so adults may attend the group that addresses their grade of interest. There will be another orientation in February, closer to the tournaments, for parents to learn more about what is involved in monitoring a game.
Adult Orientation:
October 14th, 2010 - 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Ealy Elementary
5475 West Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
We can pre-register as a group for free, or registration at the door is $10 per person. If you are interested in registering for this orientation, please fill out the attached form, check the appropriate box and return to the school office by OCTOBER 11th to be pre-registered as part of West Maple's group.
REGISTRATION:
We will be starting Lunchbox Math the first week of November. Early bird online registration ends on November 1st and costs $37 this year. Afterwards, it will cost $39. When you register, make sure you copy the invoice number from the online registration as we will require it on your West Maple Permission Slip (to be distributed after you indicate interest). Registration is required and must be complete by Thanksgiving if you wish your child to continue participating in December. We will use the same West Maple LBM t-shirts as in years past. Should you require a t-shirt, we will be collecting $6 per t-shirt in January for your order.
If you feel that your child is willing and interested in this type of game, then please fill out the attached form. Please let us know of your child's interest as soon as possible, but no later than October 18th so we could make the appropriate arrangements to begin practices by November 1st!
HELP NEEDED!
Lunch Box Math is a parent lead effort. We are in need of additional parents to both teach and coach the kids during their practices. If we do not have enough volunteers, your child's grade may not be able to participate. We are especially in need of parents to teach the games for 1st and 3rd graders. If you would like to teach one of the five games, it will mean a 3 session commitment per game. We will help you learn the games and answer questions. If you cannot teach a game, but can come in and help the kids during practices (for any of the grades) that would be greatly appreciated as well. If you are able to help, please fill out the attached form. Please let us know if you can help as soon as possible, but no later than October 18th so we will know if we have enough volunteers to run each of the grades.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to email Alice at , or call 248-562-7260.
Thank you for your help in bringing this great opportunity to our West Maple Students!!
Lunch Box Math Interest Form 2010/2011 - DUE 10/11/10!
Parent(s)' Name:______
Parent's Email:______
Parent's Phone Number:______
My Child(ren) is (are) interested in joining the West Maple Lunch Box Math Team for 2010/2011:
Child's Name / Grade / Teacher1.
2.
3.
4.
Register me for the Adult Orientation on Thursday, October 14th (6:30PM - 9:30PM): ______yes ______no
I am available to help:
Time period needed: 12:40PM - 1:20PM
I can teach a game: ____yes ____no; I can help at practice: ____yes ____no
Please place an "x" on your dates of availability for the above:
Mon / Tues / Weds / Thurs / Fri1st Grade
3rd Grade
2nd Grade:
Time Period needed: Fridays, 12:00pm - 12:40PM
I can help at practice: _____yes ____no
4th/5th Grade: The length of playing time is longer for the 4th/5th grade games, so before or after school practice sessions are preferred.
I can help at practice:
Wednesdays, 3:55PM - 4:55PM (after school): ____yes ____no
Fridays, 3:55PM - 4:55PM (after school): ___yes ____no
Wednesdays, 8:00AM - 8:50AM (before school): ___yes ____no
Comments:______
Registration info will be emailed to you. Questions? Email Alice at . Thanks again for your help!