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A Guide to Planning a “Family Math Night”

Math nights are not one size and type fits all, they come in many shapes and sizes. Below are a few things to consider when planning a “Family Math Night”.

Planning CommitteeCreate a planning or steering committee to plan the event. Have someone or a committee to oversee publicity, activities, food, prizes, volunteers, take home activity, etc.

Date and TimeCoordinate the date with the school calendar and also check to see if there are any conflicts with community activities. Is this an event that can be done during the day and evening? How much time do you need? The event should last about an hour and a half.

Finding the best locationWill the event be held in the school cafeteria, classrooms, gymnasium or a combination of theses? Would it be more accessible to families in a recreational or community center, etc? The location must have enough walking around room for kids and parents to participate in activities.

Getting the word outHearing about the event many times and in many ways tends to increase attendance. Advertise in multiple ways such as:

A translated flyer-keep it simple School children write personalized invitations Phone calls home in various languages Reminder wristbands that students wear homeDistribute flyers to Community OrganizationsSchool bulletinsWebsiteLocal newspaperKeep all school sta! up to date and informedAnnounce at all school eventsTalk with the kids about the exciting math night. Let them practice some of the activities prior to the math night. How exciting for them to help their parents with the activities!

Deciding on ActivitiesYou could start your event with a brief welcome and a short debriefing at the end. The planning committee should create a time schedule, timed to the minute, indicating when segments begin and end.

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Remember to keep these three things in mind.Activities should be hands on, including “make it, take it” activitiesFocus on a theme that links math with the real worldAlign with the common Core Standards

A family math night usually involves multiple activity “stations” setup in di!erent parts of the room or throughout the school. One idea is to have each teacher take a standard and be responsible for the hands on fun and engaging math activity. Students can help plan, make and host the station.

Each activity station will require enough materials for about 6-8 participants. Activities that work best with families are those that are fun, interesting, simple, brief and based on the state standards. Each station should display a copy of the standard that the activity represents.

Consider how many stations you have room for. If school-wide, choose activities that cover all grade levels. Will all families and children work on the same activity simultaneously or will stations or centers be set up for families and children to rotate through? Consider giving each family a map of activity locations with brief descriptions. Make sure to include simple Instructions for each activity at each station. Activities should be completed in about 10 minutes.

Math Station IdeasGames (board games, physical games, math bingo, math jeopardy)Computer ExplorationsPuzzlesMath and Language Arts ActivitiesMath and Performing ArtsMath MysteriesMath MagicMath CraftsMake Your Own Toolbox Manipulatives Math Scavenger Hunt.

If you want more ideas for math stations take a look at the toolkit cd. We’ve included additional resources to help you plan your Math Night.

VolunteersVolunteers can be afterschool sta!, day-school teachers, parents, students, school administration, or community volunteers. Volunteers will be useful to serve as greeters, registration help, activity facilitators, etc. the day of the event. Need one or two volunteers for each station, to help with setup and cleanup. Before Math night make sure volunteers have had a chance to go over materials for the activity as well as any other instructions for the volunteers.

Wrap upYour math event does not have to end when the families go home. Extend the fun by giving families a take home math activity. When choosing a take home activity make them simple. Include a single sheet with instructions and all the necessary materials in a zip-lock bag. At the end of the event hand each family the activity bag as they head out the door.

Sources: “What to Do at Your Family Math Event: Activities and Schedules”, written by Paul Giganti, Jr., CMC Math Festival Program and “Family Math Nights”, written by Janis Kluesner, Vigo County School Corporation