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Math Stars |
| The Shackelford “Go
for the Gold” Math Stars Program is designed to promote
excellence in math and help students to "think outside the box" when
solving math problems. The program is not part of the regular curriculum
and is completely voluntary. The program is run by volunteer members of
the P.T.O. who grade the papers and purchase rewards for students. While
your child will not earn a school grade for completing Math Star
worksheets, they will earn rewards for participating in the program.
This year the students will be "going for the gold" and working toward
earning 4 metals (dog tags). The first will be a green tag and chain.
Followed by a bronze, silver, and finally gold. These tags are given
during the awards ceremonies at the end of each nine week quarter. The Math Star Program consists of weekly math worksheets that are sent home with the students. The Math Stars are leveled by grade and encourage the children to use a variety of logic and reasoning skills to solve the problems. Parents are encouraged to assist their children with the problems, but not to work the problems for the child. The tests may be a bit above level, especially in the 1st grade, but the benefit of working through them becomes clear when new concepts are introduced in the classroom. One to four stars are awarded for each correct answer. In addition, graders win give partial points for problems your child has attempted but not gotten correct. There are a total of twenty math star worksheets. Ten tests will be handed out during the first semester and the remaining ten tests will be handed out during the second semester. The tests are labeled A-T. Each nine weeks, your child will earn a medal if they are able to earn at least 70% of the possible stars on the worksheets. Even if your child does not receive a medal in the first nine weeks, they still have an opportunity because the points continue to add up with each completed worksheet. The worksheets will be sent home Monday and will be due, the following Monday. All worksheets will have a due date printed on the top and the due dates will also be posted on the school calendar. The teachers will have an envelope in their classroom where the students will place their completed math star paper. Please be sure your child's first and last name is on the worksheet. The papers will be graded and returned to your child. We look forward to another exciting year with Math Stars. |
Thank you for supporting this program,
Jennifer Garrison
Math Star Coordinator