Numbers. As adults we know you can’t get through life without understanding them. They are a fundamental part of our civilization. But when you’re a kid they often seem like a mystery.
A generation ago parents used flash cards to try and teach their youngsters how to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Today, though, it’s different.
“Lots of parents ask about flash cards but we say, ‘Use games! Make learning about numbers fun!'” says Arrow Heights Elementary School teacher Sue Leach.
And making numbers fun was the whole point of the Great Number Rumble at AHE on Thursday evening. Organized by teacher Allison Just with help from colleagues Wendy Mulligan and Sue Leach, the event brought families together to enjoy a wide variety of numbers-based games.
“We’ve had literacy nights and science nights so why not a numbers night?” said Just. “This shows you can have fun with numbers.”
The event was a huge success with more than 200 people registering at the entrance to the school gym to play games and try and win prizes. How much fun was it? Well, check out the photos below and you be the judge:
Thursday night was Number Rumble Night at Arrow Heights Elementary School, an event that brought out 200 kids and parents for a night of mathematical fun. David F. Rooney photoWow! Kids and parents enthusiastically try to estimate the number of corn kernels, jelly beans, beads and other objects inside glass containers of varying sizes. Surprisingly, "a lot of people's guesses were very, very close," said teacher and event organizer Sue Leach. "Some were within seven and even five of the actual number." David F. Rooney photoPenny Page Brittin and her son, Simon, talk with PAC President Tracey Vopni about some of the educational books and games on sale at the Number Rumble. David F. Rooney photoOh, no! Judging by the expressions on their faces, Otti and Ian Brown were about to be hung at one of the Hangman Game run by Samantha Legebokow and Claudia Cinelli. David F. Rooney photoZuzana Driediger and Richard Behncke enjoyed a round of I Have, Who Has with Beth Granstrom and Taya Driediger. David F. Rooney photoKrista Stribney and Michelle Gadbois watch the action as Peter Bokis appears dismayed by his performance in the Double Up Multiplication Game offered by Beth Battersby. David F. Rooney photoKathleen Richardson plays Greedy Pig with her daughter Emily and Kees Van Der Meer. David F. Rooney photoCathleen and Stephen Busch contemplate their next move while playing Hangman with Cassidy Legebokow. David F. Rooney photoWanna play a game? Arianna Morrone offered up a fun game of Greedy Pig. David F. Rooney photoKelly O'Brien tries her luck at a game of Zero and You're Out! with Logan Marcolli. David F. Rooney photoHere's a view of the inside of the AHE gym, which was packed with kids and adults all having great fun with numbers. David F. Rooney photoHome-made dice await someone willing to try their luck. David F. Rooney photoSarajo Howatt, Liam McCabe and Avery Thurston manned the sign-in table at the entrance to the gym. As you may have guessed from that huge jar, the school is also raising money for three charities: the BC Children's Hospital, the internaitonal Turn on the Tap program and the Revelstoke & District Humane Society. David F. Rooney photoKarl Klassen plays a dice game with Jordan Larsen. David F. Rooney photo
