NYSED and FIRST IN MATH are joining forces to bring a Statewide Mathematics Tournament to New York State! ALL New York State students in grades 1 to 8 who are enrolled in the FIRST IN MATH program are invited to participate!
How do students qualify for the Statewide Mathematics Tournament?
- Participate in the Virtual Regional Tournament (Qualifying Round) Date: TBA
- Every student in grades 1 to 8 enrolled in the FIRST IN MATH program is eligible to compete in a Virtual Regional Tournament.
- Qualifying takes place during school hours, on a flexible schedule, and is online.
- Students from each Region** who correctly solve the most Skill Set problems in the allotted time will advance to the STATEWIDE MATHEMATICS TOURNAMENT. (Students will receive grade-appropriate challenges.)
- ACCESS to Virtual Regional Tournament: A link will be visible in each student's FIM Notifications Mailbox between 10 am and 2 pm on TBA, 2025. Encourage them to click the link to join in the fun!
- After the Virtual Regional Tournament is complete, FIRST IN MATH will contact winning students’ Principals with details about the Statewide Mathematics Tournament on TBA, 2025!
Regional winners earn a spot at the NY Statewide Mathematics Tournament!
Teams of 15 students per Region**— THREE STUDENTS from the same school and the same grade level, (one team each from grades 1 through 8) — will participate on TBA, 2025 at the Statewide Mathematics Tournament and compete for top honors and prizes! Only 150 children will qualify to attend!
- Championship Tournament Date: TBA, 2025
- Location: To be announced. Details will be sent to participants’ school.
- Chaperones: There will be 150 students and a maximum of 200 adults; each child may bring one parent and each team MUST be accompanied by one teacher or school administrator.
**For purposes of this competition there are 10 regions, as determined by NYSED.
Preparation for Competition
The optional, supplemental math practice offered through participation in FIRST IN MATH provides support to assist students in meeting grade-level fluency expectations. As your students "play math games" on the FIM site in preparation for these events, they will be building multiple fluencies needed for future success.
- Early on, use JTF to help students identify where practice is needed, followed by VIFs and GYMS to increase fact fluency.
- When they are ready, have students move on to grade-appropriate Skill Set games to familiarize them with the type of math challenges they will see at the Regional Qualifying event! Preview the skills tested in Skill Set games here>> Skill Set Poster PDF
- See how to play Skill Set Games (short videos).
- Encourage students to play the Skill Set Game(s) available for their grade. Students will compete with others at their grade level.
- Practice makes perfect: Practicing math is essential to developing automaticity.
- CREATE EXCITEMENT AROUND THIS FUN & REWARDING MATH EVENT! Make sure your school is represented!
Do you have questions, or want to share your ideas with us? Contact nan@firstinmath.com
IMPORTANT COMPETITION INFORMATION, INCLUDING AWARDS:
Students who participate at both competitions will receive Certificates of Participation and winners will receive trophies;
Regional Winners: the winning school at each grade level will receive a plaque and $1000 award;
Statewide Winners: the winning school at each grade level will receive a plaque and $5000 award.
Students must be enrolled in and actively using the FIRST IN MATH ONLINE program to be eligible. The program is optional and FREE to all K-8 classrooms in New York State.
Students must have parental permission to participate in the Statewide Mathematics Tournament at University at Albany. A signed Photo Release form must be submitted to Nancy Kane, Tournament Program Administrator, no later than <<TBA>>. Forms can be faxed to 610-258-2180 or emailed to nancy@firstinmath.com with the subject line: NYS Tournament Release Form. Release Form - English | Release Form - Spanish
Students should be given adequate access to FIRST IN MATH to attain multiple fluencies needed for success prior to the Regional Qualifying event; if they qualify for the Championship Tournament, they will be competing in a round-robin, tournament-style event against other students at their grade level.
Participants who live more than 90 miles from University at Albany will be reimbursed for travel expenses. Please contact your school's Principal for details ... OR ... Please contact nan@firstinmath.com for details.
The 2024 Virtual Regional Tournament competition will focus on the popular 24® Game series featured in First In Math Skill Sets®. These games test fact fluency, automaticity, problem solving, procedural fluency and other critical math skills. As children practice, the games' simple structure allows learners to engage quickly, seek out higher levels of challenge, and increase confidence in mental-math abilities.
At the Statewide Mathematics Tournament, students will use game cards (representing online activities they can practice) competitively in a group setting to demonstrate through modeling their conceptual understanding.
Take me to NYSED's information page
Show me highlights of the 2024 Championship Event
Show me highlights of the 2023 Championship Event
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