Trinity Elementary School Math Academy

In math, finding the solution is often the goal. At Trinity Elementary School, an innovative solution brought students, teachers, and families together to create positive experiences with math.

Trinity’s Saturday Math Academy is a parent-engagement and extended-learning program that mainly focuses on introducing math games to young learners and their families. The games come from the math curriculum, and both parents and children practice problem-solving and fluency skills in their native language.

“Providing a positive math experience for our youngest mathletes was ultimately the goal of this program,” said Trinity’s math coach, Johanna Vasquez, who is spearheading this program for the second straight year. “Saturday mornings allow for kids to see their parents invested in their learning, while also allowing for some family math fun. It was great to see families learning together.”

The workshop starts with a “Which One Doesn’t Belong?” activity to promote math discussion, followed by two to three rounds of a math game. The workshop concludes with a closing activity.

Trinity families engaged in five math workshops through Zoom during April. Students in kindergarten, first, and second grade played math games with their parents alongside them. Each child brought home a math kit that included record sheets, instructions, and manipulatives. Teacher assistants Maria Torres and Jenny DiZenzo joined families on Zoom and provided a 50-minute parent engagement workshop, in English and Spanish. Parents and students are encouraged to continue enjoying math together moving forward.

“The students' happiness brightened the screen!” Torres said. “They were so proud of their moms, dads and siblings playing the games that they enjoyed.”

And parents also embraced the opportunity to see math as a fun family activity. “Thank you for introducing us to the joy of math,” was one parent’s feedback.