MAGNOLIA, TX—Cherrie Edwards, Gifted-Talented Teacher at Nichols Sawmill Elementary, says their First In Math adventure all began when her fifth-grade gifted students decided to take on a challenging project. Initially, their effort was directed toward younger students who struggle to learn math facts, but it was quickly expanded to the entire student body—after they realized it was easy to get students excited about math using the First In Math® Online Program.
The M.A.T.H. (Making Amazing Tutoring Happen) Busters team works with third- and fourth-grade students. M.A.T.H. Busters team members had planned to raise money to purchase a box of 24® Game cards for each teacher in the third and fourth grades, but after seeing the online version of the game at firstinmath.com, they decided to try and purchase User IDs for the students they were tutoring, instead. Texas FIM representative Tony Morrow stepped in, providing additional User IDs to help them meet that goal, but says he guessed where it would lead. "As students began playing the games online, and the Team saw what a difference it made, they were motivated to provide registration for everyone in the school," explains Morrow.
Cherrie Edwards' fifth-grade students, along with Principal Linda Kenjura (center right) and Assistant Principal Erin Vance. Students designed their own 'M.A.T.H Busters' logo.
The Team took charge, sponsoring a raffle and several holiday fundraisers. They received two corporate grants and the school's PTO donated to the cause. In the end, the group raised enough money to provide First In Math to every student in the school, and a 24® Game for every classroom. "With this wonderful online support and the games, our students will become great in math," says Principal Linda Kenjura, who supports the project wholeheartedly.
"If the First In Math program proves to be a big success, as I think it will, the students are hoping that the PTO will sponsor the program for future school years," says Edwards. "Ultimately, the goal is that all students will improve their math skills."
Edwards is planning to submit the 'M.A.T.H. Busters' project to an international competition for Community Problem Solving, a branch of the Future Problem Solving Program, International. "At first, I wanted my students to go in a different direction when choosing a project," admits Edwards, "but they insisted they wanted to help other students with math. I am very proud of them all." The Team meets with each grade separately in the computer lab, and each member of the Team has a "study buddy" that they work with each week.
The Team has written letters to President Barack Obama, Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn, as well as Texas Governor Rick Perry, outlining their project and what they were trying to accomplish. They also wrote a letter to Jim Parsons, recent Golden Globe winner and the star of the television program, The Big Bang Theory, because they feel he encourages students to excel in math and science. "Local media have also reported about their project," reports Edwards.
The M.A.T.H. Buster team wrote a skit to be presented to the entire student body that would motivate all students to work on First In Math at home as well as at school. They rewrote the words to the song 'Ghost Busters' and designed their own t-shirts to promote their project. The team's efforts do not stop at school. According to Edwards, the Team invited parents of students being tutored to a 'Multiplying Math Success' Game Night, where the M.A.T.H. buster team members showed them how to help their children at home with the FIM website.