Parents, teachers and students gathered recently for the BCSD Math Carnival Extravaganza. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Popcorn, carnival games, music — they’re not things that immediately make you think of math, but they added a new layer of fun to Math Night.
In the third year implementing the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum, Bedford Central School District has made promoting family and community engagement an objective of the 2024-25 Success Plan goal of improving math outcomes. The K-5 districtwide Math Carnival Extravaganza took a big step forward in expanding the family education experience.
The event was developed by district math coach Michelle Grier and a committee of teachers. Filled with raffles, prizes and fun, students engaged in meaningful math games with their parents, siblings and friends during an incredibly successful night.
“When the team came together to brainstorm ideas for the event, we had three main goals,” said Grier. “We wanted to create a sense of joy and excitement around mathematics, show the progression of concepts throughout the grade levels, and allow students to showcase their learning while empowering families to feel comfortable supporting students at home.”
The festivities began with families gathered in the Mount Kisco Elementary School cafeteria. Grier and her team explained the logistics of the evening before families ventured upstairs to classrooms organized by grade level to learn and experience the Bridges math games that are taught in the classroom. Students became the experts as they modeled and shared their learning with their families. Fox Lane National Honor Society students were also on hand to lead families through the games.
Once students completed the games in their grade-level classrooms, they earned tickets to play math-themed carnival activities in the gym. There, the fun continued with carnival-style math games, popcorn, music, and a raffle at the end of the night.
“We hope to make this an annual event,” said Grier.