Local » Focus
Burney Elementary students, along with parents and siblings, participated in a “Family Math Night” scavenger hunt hosted at the Sweetbay on Wheeler Street in order to complete tasks and solve problems involving math computation. Photo by Julie Otte
Burney Elementary at Sweetbay math Night Supermarket B written By: Cheryl Johnston
urney Elementary School and its business partner, Sweetbay Supermarket, hosted a “Family Math Night” at the Wheeler Street store on October 6, 2011.
From 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., more than 250 gathered for an exciting scavenger hunt. Parents and siblings helped 125 students search every aisle to solve math problems as part of the adventure. Strategically positioned teachers and school administrators answered questions or guided the learners. This event involved 34% of Burney’s student population, the most ever for an outreach into the community or one hosted at the school. Kristy Fisher, Math Specialist, brainstormed with Penny Varnum, the school’s Academic Intervention Specialist, to create the event. Hillsborough County Public Schools asks teachers to make learning math a “very real world” scenario, so children discover everyday applications. Fisher explained, “We simply wanted to show parents very easy ways they can help their children through little tasks here and there. Even a trip to the grocery store is a learning opportunity.” Fisher and school Principal Sally Stephens were especially appreciative of Sweetbay’s store manager Nancy Farley and her enthusiastic staff. Stephens complimented, “They couldn’t have been more inviting or involved. Snack tables
were set up throughout the store and they even prepared cookies and goodiebags-to-go for all the kids.”
Fisher added, “When the invitation came over the intercom for Burney to ‘make some noise’, the event became an educational party. We couldn’t have been more pleased.” Varnum considered the evening “a huge success.” She reported, “You could practically see light bulbs go off in our children’s heads as they decided the math operations needed to compare prices, estimate produce weight, and determine prices after using a 60 cent off coupon. As a reading teacher I was thrilled to see them carefully reading labels for prices, serving sizes, ingredients, and advertising claims. We hope our families now view shopping trips as fun and educational outings.”
The proof in the education of young students, however, lies in what they say. Fifth grader Brisa Rodriguez, 11, commented, “It was awesome because I really love math. I got to go around Sweetbay with my family, friends, and teachers. My little brother was so excited about weighing the coconuts.” About the family fun, first grader Michelle Berrios, 6, agreed: “My favorite part was counting all the kinds of dog treats with my dad.” From an educator’s standpoint, it doesn’t get any better than that!
foCUS Magazine Plant City october 2011
17