Rationale
The Hingham Public Schools provides opportunities for elementary students in grades 2-5 to participate in math contests each year. The contests present problems that require children to utilize problem solving skills they have been working to develop in their mathematics classes as well as some problems that may really stretch the children’s thinking. The children learn how to represent their thinking, solve problems using multiple strategies and persevere when tasks are challenging. If a teacher feels the challenging nature of the contests may be overwhelming for some children, students may participate in an alternate activity designed to strengthen their mathematical understanding.
Continental Math League (CML) |
New England Math League (NEML) |
All students in grades 2-5 can participate in the Continental Mathematics League (CML). The CML contests include six challenging mathematics problems. They are administered three times a year in grades 2 and 3 and five times a year in grades 4 and 5. Students in 4th and 5th grade Math Plus participate in the Pythagorean division of the contest. Following each contest, the children discuss how they solved each problem.
If a child receives a 4, 5, or 6 on the CML their name will be listed in the Hingham Journal. Due to the challenging nature of the questions, it is typical for only three or four students in a class to score above three points. The top scoring children at each grade are also recognized at the annual mathematics awards night in the spring. Performance on the CML does not impact the child’s mathematics grade. For more information, please visit the Continental Math League website. |
The New England Math League (NEML) contest includes 30 challenging mathematics problems. In the spring, all students in grade 4 are given the opportunity to participate as well as all grade 5 Math Plus students. A district-created version of the contest is used for all students in grade 3. Performance on the NEML does not impact the child's mathematics grade.
For information, please visit the Math League website. |