Math is so fun

Math is so fun
Posted on 03/10/2020

MathIn an ongoing partnership with Maisha Moses of The Young People’s Project, Angie Uyham of the Cambridge Educator Design Lab, and Damon Smith, Principal of CRLS, close to 50 Putnam Ave. students are participating in The FlagwayTM Game. Flagway is a math game that creates an environment to practice and celebrate mathematics. During the game, students navigate a course based on Flagway rules, which are derived from the Mobius function. Flagway elaborates on basic number facts by incorporating those facts into a game where players guess, conjecture, and reflect as well as tie these mental operations into the kinesthetics of running the patterned network 
of the game.

The game-like structure and competitive nature of Flagway fosters “math literacy [which] empowers young people to rethink how they view math--not just as something that is hard and either I’m good at it or bad [but as] something I can work through and talk my way through” (We the People--Math Literacy for All). Christopher Godfrey, one of our Flagway teachers, shares his experience with Flagway, “I knew from the first time that I saw Flagway that this is what was missing from our work with students. Other programs miss what our students need--Flagway combines athleticism with academics. For me, that was the instant appeal. Kids are learning, having fun, and are playing with high-level math. This game gives every student immediate access and entry into algebraic thinking. ... How students are seeing themselves as mathematicians is growing every day.”

Our program, which targets students who are at a variety of ability levels, has expanded to serve close to 50 students in grades 6-8. It is important to note that this program also incorporates Putnam Ave. graduates, who are now high school and college students, as Math Literacy Workers (MLW).
Flagway has given our students the opportunity to connect with peers and mentors, see themselves a math learners, and physically move.

Our 6th grade team had the opportunity to participate in the National Flagway Tournament in Washington D.C. last year. 
Our goal is to enter teams from all three grades in this year's National Tournament, which is being held in Mansfield, Ohio, from May 15 - May 17, 2020.

TrophyBy participating in the National Tournament, students will 
continue to:

  • Build independence, self-esteem, and confidence
  • Increase cultural awareness, tolerance, and respectfulness
  • Experience playing, learning, and doing math with peers and adults from around the country.

On Thursday, February 27th, three 
teams of Putnam Ave. students 
competed in the CPS Upper School 
Flagway Tournament. Putnam Ave. 
6th graders brought home the 
1st place trophy! We are so proud 
of all the students who participated 
and are looking forward to planning 
more tournaments.

If you would like to hear more about 
Flagway or our Road to Ohio for the 
National Tournament, contact 
Michelle Calioro at 857.244.0712.

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