By Kassie Simmons | March 30, 2021 at 11:54 AM EDT – Updated March 30 at 11:54 AM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Learning math isn’t easy for everyone, especially during a pandemic with virtual learning and less one-on-one attention from teachers.
As College Park Elementary School students get used to being back in the classroom for Plan A, a new initiative is helping them ramp up their math skills, adding some fun to the equation.
Kids are learning math skills through manipulatives. Teachers say it’s almost like teaching math by playing with toys– like counting blocks or coins– but manipulatives aren’t toys— they’re tools. Kids in classrooms use them for multiplying, dividing and even problems involving fractions.
While math is a common subject that students struggle with, kids at College Park Elementary school describe it as one of their favorites. It’s all part of Superintendent Dr. Charles Foust’s goal to get better math tools into the hands of teachers and students.
“All of this work from kindergarten through 5th grade really builds on students’ understanding and helps them be successful in Math 1 and we really want to help and support students for when they get into that higher-level math,” said Ryan Redd, the lead K-5 math teacher for New Hanover County Schools.
Not only are kids learning to enjoy doing math, but they’re starting their day off with it with M&M in the morning, an initiative giving students the chance to eat breakfast while they learn.
Things are just getting started at College Park Elementary School, but kids are already describing math as their favorite subject— something they wouldn’t have said just months or even weeks ago.
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