More than 40 families participated in the Math Carnival Night held last month at Grenada Upper Elementary School.
Fourth and fifth-grade students, along with their families were invited to take part in a math game night. The games were focused on the most important concepts for fourth and fifth-graders: multiplication facts, fractions and place value. Throughout the night, students were able to earn tickets to use at the community sponsored carnival held later that night.
“We were very intentional about the math activities and games we selected for our Carnival Night,” GUES Principal Carol Tharpe said. “We know what skills and standards our students need practice on.”
Math Carnival Night was created to encourage students to love math through games.
“We want students and families to fall in love with math,” Tharpe said. “We have prepared math games that families can play at home.”
Math Night brought the community together and the Grenada School District (GSD) as a whole.
Several businesses around the community arranged game tables and watched as the children played. The Grenada High School jazz band entertained the families by playing carnival-themed music during the February 28 event, and members of the Grenada High School color guard stood in front of the band and performed choreographed routines as the music played.
Tharpe expressed her gratitude for all of the hard work that her staff put into making the night a success.
“Mrs. Maryan Hopper and Ms. Amanda Ferguson have been the visionaries of this wonderful event,” Tharpe said. “Mrs. Hopper had a vision for what this night would entail and Ms. Ferguson created a design that made the vision come to life. Without these two talented ladies, this night would not exist. I am so blessed to be surrounded by teachers and staff who are 100 percent dedicated to the students and community of Grenada.”
GSD sponsors included the Vocational and Technical School’s Teacher Academy and Culinary Arts school, the Grenada High School color guard, the Grenada High jazz band and the Grenada Elementary fourth and fifth-grade staff.
Local sponsors included Greater Powell Chapel A.M.E. Church, Real Tyme Tax Services, Cravens Properties, First United Methodist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Cross Country Seed, Tractor Supply Co., Custom Printing, Universal Fitness, University of Mississippi Teachers of Tomorrow, Allen’s Fine Jewelry-Winona, Moore Than Enough Catering and Sweet Cravings, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority-Kappa Omega Chapter Greenwood, Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church and R&S Cleaners.
Each student received all materials needed to play the games at home as well as a book filled with extra activities to create their own family game night.
“We want to encourage families to spend time together at home,” Tharpe concluded. “Much fun can be had by playing math learning games together.”
(See more Math Carnival photos on Page 8 in this week's edition of The Grenada Star.)
