Step Right Up For Math: 6th Graders Create Carnival Of Numbers And Fun

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

The end of June is usually a time to review skills students have learned throughout the year. At Todd Elementary School, second and third graders experienced their yearly review of math skills in an especially fun way: they visited Briarcliff Middle School to participate in a math carnival that was prepared specifically for them by sixth graders.

Sixth graders in Marissa Proctor’s math class designed and built carnival games that infuse math for second-and third-grade students.

“We had a total of 25 different games,” Ms. Proctor said. “Some games were typical carnival fare, like ring toss, and clowns with bowling pins, but we also had unique games. I was amazed at their creativity.

“A lot of the games were built from scratch using things we had in class, like plastic cups, stacking blocks or math manipulatives,” she added. “The physical education department was kind enough to lend us some supplies such as balls and cones, and a few students brought basketball hoops from home.”

Ms. Proctor collaborated with the second-and third-grade teachers at Todd and received a list of skills that the students could do. The sixth graders then created separate question sets for each grade and infused math skills into the games.

“One thing I emphasized to the sixth graders was that, just like in sixth grade, there is a wide range of learners in the second and third grades, so I asked them to be very intentional about creating a wide range of questions,” Ms. Proctor said. “There are some challenge questions that the sixth graders can give to students who want a challenge, but we wanted everyone to be able to participate.”

Ms. Proctor spoke at length to the sixth graders about cheering on the younger students during the carnival.

“Remember to be kind and to encourage the students if they get the wrong answer. This is meant to be fun,” she said. “Tell them, ‘Great try, let’s try another one!’”

The sixth graders were also able to integrate some of their own math into the carnival games.

“Our last unit is on probability and statistics, so some of the games have those elements embedded in them,” Ms. Proctor said.

In addition to working on math and empathy skills, the sixth graders also focused on hands-on building, creativity, collaboration with their peers and modeling good behavior to the younger students.

Natalie and her group created a plink plunge game.

“We had an ‘inspo page’ for ideas, so that’s how we came up with this game. You drop a ball to see on which number it lands, and based on the number, you get a math question,” she explained. “I saw the other games, and everything looked really good – I think the Todd kids will like them all. I love Ms. Proctor and all the projects we do in math and in other classes in sixth grade.”

Eli and his team made a spin-the-wheel game where students answered math questions based on where the spinning arrow lands.

“Ms. Proctor wrote on the board what they can and can’t do at this age,” Eli explained.

The carnival was a big hit for all grade levels.

“I was very impressed with the way the sixth graders interacted with the younger students,” Ms. Proctor said. “They took on the idea that they were creating the entire carnival for the benefit for the younger learners to show them how they can enjoy math in a way that is interactive.”

The younger students were excited to play the games and to win prizes. Each student received three prizes of their choosing.

“My favorite part of the carnival was doing math,” said Alex, a second grader. “It was easy.”

“I can’t wait to go again next year!” said Noah, another second grader.

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This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.