Newport Heights PTA Math Challenge Program

In our beginning of the year PTA survey, families said they wanted STEM-related enrichment opportunities for their children.  Newport Heights PTA is excited to bring the Math Challenge Program to our school.

2022-2023 Math Challenges

Challenge 1, “How Many?”

Worksheet
Solution Key

Due Date: Thursday, October 13th. Use this Google Form to submit your solutions.

Welcome to Math Challenge for the 2022-2023 school year. Counting is the first step on our mathematical journey. Counting is also the first mathematical pattern learners encounter. Learning to add comes as an extension of counting. From counting, learners soon begin to count backwards which is a step towards subtraction. They will also count in twos, fives, and tens (a foundation for multiplication). In this first challenge, we will focus on a very basic question you found in math problems: how many.

Most problems can be solved by drawing a picture/diagram/model. If you are new to any of the problem solving strategies, check out an overview of elementary problem-solving strategies here.

Feel free to use the solution key to help yourself help your child. You may share it with them once they have submitted their work. Questions? Contact Anne Figge at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org.

Past Math Challenges (2021-2022 School Year)

MC#15, “Algebraic and Logical Reasoning
Solutions

MC #14, “Working Backwards”
Solutions

MC #13, “Cubes and Cuboids”
Solutions

MC#12, “2D Shapes”
Solutions

MC #11, “Mixed Problems”
Solutions

MC #10, ”Coins & Money Problems”
Solutions

MC #9 “Exploring Patterns”
Solutions

MC #8 “Logic and Reasoning” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #7 “Draw a Model” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #6 “Winter Math Problems” (PDF)
Solutions 

MC #5 “Sharing and Halving” (PDF)
Solutions 

MC #4 “Something is Missing”
Solutions

MC #3 “Autumn Medley” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #2 “Three or More Numbers” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #1 “One through Twelve” (PDF)
Solutions

Every challenge and answer sheet on one page (Math in Action website)

About Math Challenge

• Math Challenge is a free enrichment program open to all Newport Heights Elementary students in partnership with Math in Action. All students K to Grade 5 are invited to participate.

• There will be 15 challenges throughout the school year; a new set of problems is published every other week or so starting in late September and ending in May.

• Each challenge presents 10 to 18 problems ordered by level of difficulty.

Benefits of Math Challenge Program

• The purpose of this program is to engage and challenge students to solve interesting math problems while along the way, strengthen their problem-solving skills and math fundamentals.

• The Math Challenge Program improves children’s overall math attitudes.

• Students expand their mathematical knowledge as they work with friends and family members to solve these problems.

How to register 

• The program is free. You are automatically registered when you submit your first challenge..
  
  

How to submit your answers

• Each challenge will be released on a Friday. You will have about 2 weeks to complete it. The schedule is posted below.

• Access the current challenge and learn more about the program on the NHE page at MathinAction.

• Complete the challenge and submit by entering your answers in via the Google Form. (See QUICK LINK at top of this page.

• The challenges encourage problem solving strategies such as draw a picture or model, make an organized list, look for a pattern, work backward, and guess and check. If your student would like to share an interesting solution, email it to MathChallenge@nhe-pta.org.

• The Google Form only accepts a student’s answer to a problem, but we also love to see solutions that show how students are thinking about the math. If your student has a solution (using words, pictures, numbers, diagrams, photos, etc.) that they’d like to share, send a photo or digital copy to Anne Figge at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org. With permission we’ll share these on the PTA website.

2022-2023 Challenge Schedule

How Can I Help My Child be Successful?

• Problems get more challenging as you work through each challenge. Encourage your student to solve as many problems as they can. Students may attempt any number of problems. (Use the “required” number of problems for each grade level as a guideline.)
• Remember that students may ask a friend or family member if they need help getting started. Good mathematicians help each other expand their thinking! The Math Challenge is supposed to be fun! Productive struggle is good, but it’s time for a break if that struggle is turning to frustration.
• Focus on more than getting the right answer. Encourage your child to use a variety of problem-solving strategies

• Watch this page for tips and ideas on helping your child without doing too much. Our goal is to provide every NHE student with a “just-right” challenging math experience. If you find that the format is simply too difficult or too easy for your child, please let us know. We’ll work with you to make appropriate modifications. Happy Solving!

Sign up for Math Challenge Email Reminders!

Register for email updates when each Math Challenge is released (Fridays at noon) by sending a request to Anne Figge at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org. The email reminders will have easy links for each part of the Math Challenge process!!

Questions?

The Math Challenge contact person at Newport Heights is Anne Figge. For questions, technical assistance, or to request appropriate accommodations, please email her at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org.