Nachos and Numbers
…a Step by Step Guide to Hosting a Successful School Family Math Event
by
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Since the 1980’s, elementary schools across the nation have often made sincere attempts to involve parents in the processes of educating their children.
Those attempts were often not made at the prerogative of school administrators, but federally mandated through legislation. Documentation of parent involvement has become routine. Family Math Nights have even become common annual events. Unfortunately, these events have also often become dull and unimaginative.
Let’s examine this common scenario. Children and their parents are often seated at tables according to grade level, served a cold hot dog as well as a diluted cup of lemonade, and then expected to enthusiastically engage in an activity designed to address a grade-level Mathematics objective. In the worst instances, that activity is a cutesy classroom worksheet! By the end of the evening, parents are either conferencing with teachers, or perhaps visiting with one another about last night’s soccer game. Children are often left unattended to roam the campus in wild “packs”, while every teacher, parent, and administrator involved exits the evening with a colossal headache. See you again next year? Let’s consider an alternative, shall we?
Introducing… Nachos and Numbers:
q a fun, cost-free family meal!
q lively Mariachi music, enhanced by festive South-of-The Border décor!
q a host of engaging Mathematics activities designed to address the elementary curriculum for multiple grade levels, often without the use of paper and pencil, with optimum participation by choice!
q rewards for student participation and parent involvement!
Allow me to guide you through an innovative way to engage parents, teachers, and children in the process of developing Mathematics concepts. It is sure to become an annual event your entire faculty, student body, and parent group will embrace for years to come!
Bien Venidos a Nachos y Numeros!
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Book Details
About the Book
Are you tired of the “typical” Family Math Night, with a lack of real involvement often resulting in poor attendance? “Bien Venidos a Nachos y Numeros!” Welcome to Nachos and Numbers! 1) A fun family meal 2) Lively Mariachi music, enhanced by south-of-the-border décor. 3) A host of engaging activities designed to address the Mathematics curriculum, often at the concrete level. 4) Rewards and incentives for optimum student participation and parent involvement. Whether you are an educator, school administrator, or dedicated parent, this helpful guide will lead you and your school towards hosting an unforgettable Nachos and Numbers Event.
About the Author
Thomas John Ecker is a classroom teacher with twenty-three years of experience teaching Mathematics. That experience includes teaching all levels of elementary education, middle school, as well as serving in the capacity of Elementary Mathematics Coordinator.
Mr. Ecker’s accomplishments and achievements as an educator have earned him several education honors, including Outstanding Young Educator, Education Grant Recipient, as well as Teacher of The Year. In April of 2004, he was a featured speaker at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Conference in
Mr. Ecker is married to another dedicated teacher, Jaynie, and together they have five children.
Those great kids, and hundreds of others, have been the inspiration for the creative and very practical ideas within this guide. Let it be the source of your own inspiration in hosting a successful family Math event,
NACHOS AND NUMBERS!