Families learn about Number Talks, critical thinking at Rickson Ridge PS’s Family Math Night
September 28, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – An enthusiastic group of Guelph families spent Thursday evening learning about critical thinking in children, growth mindsets and Number Talks.
On Sept. 27, Rickson Ridge Public School held its first-ever Family Math Night.
The school was buzzing as parents/guardians and their kids streamed into the school, mingled and enjoyed some food before the night of math began.
For the first part of the evening, parents were in the gym, listing to guest speaker Mr. Garfield Gini Newman, a critical thinking expert. He spoke about nurturing thinking in our children and about the importance of teaching students reasoning – rather than memorize a solution, teach them to reason their way through to solve a problem.
Meanwhile, students were in different classrooms, having fun doing math games led by volunteer intermediate students. Families all received a booklet containing different math games they can play together at home.
Later in the evening, parents joined their kids in the classroom and Rickson Ridge teachers led the groups through a Number Talk, Mental Math strategy or Growth Mindset lesson. The booklet handed out to parents also contained info to help parents lead their kids through Number Talks at home.
Through Number Talks, students learn that while there may be only one right answer to a math problem, there are many different strategies they can use to figure out the problem. They also learn that it’s okay to make mistakes, because making mistakes will teach them not to give up when things get hard and helps them to grow and learn.
For the rest of the night, families played math games together or browsed the math games on display at booths set up by The Dragon and Mastermind Toys.
Congratulations to Rickson Ridge PS on a great event!
Categories: News Tags: Growth Mindset • Number Talks • Numeracy