Our March First 10 Network Meeting showcased the early math work being done through the York First 10 Partnership and EDC’s Young Mathematicians (YM). YM has more than 55 games that are a fun, developmentally appropriate way to advance math learning for young children both at school and at home. The games are being aligned to district curricula, and educators are receiving extensive professional development in using the games in their classrooms. YM co-director Kristen Reed kicked off the Network Meeting with a game, an introduction to YM and the York project, and a description of York’s 10 math games for 4-year-olds. The session also included opportunities to hear from York instructional leaders and teachers about the impact YM games are having in York.
York’s Pre-K principal, Dr. Angela Ashley shared the positive impact that the YM initiative has had on students and families in York. Dr. Ashley shared that student excitement for math has increased, “I know sometimes math is looked at as a daunting subject. But this initiative is really helping to change that perception. By incorporating those interactive and hands-on YM activities, we’re sparking curiosity and excitement about math in the classrooms. Our students are no longer passively receiving information. But they’re actively participating in their learning journeys. They’re becoming the problem solvers critical thinkers, and you know, we can even call them young mathematicians themselves.”
Dr. Ashley also explained that she sees a little bit of a ripple effect of implementing the YM games with families and across the community, “we’ve been sharing the resources, not only in the classroom, but with our families through our family engagement events at the schools. We’ve also introduced the games during our play and learn sessions. So, we’re really trying to empower them to engage in their child’s math education at home. And I think that this partnership just reinforces that learning and extends beyond the classroom into that home environment.”
Teacher leaders Lexi Bierman and Jennifer Wilson also shared the positive impact that YM games have had on student engagement and classroom instruction. Lexi shared that her students love the games, “they play it on their own. They don’t think of it as I’m sitting down, and I’m I have to learn this. They think of it as a game. It’s fun for them. It changes the whole environment. I feel like math is scary for a lot of people, and that starts at a young age so hopefully, this will help alleviate that and make it more enjoyable for everyone.” Jennifer shared the way the YM games have shifted teacher mindsets about teaching math, “I did not like math when I was little young adult through college. I did not like it at all, so I think, you know, not even realizing it. I had been hesitant in the past introducing math, but this has just made it a no brainer. Everything you need is right there, and the kids absolutely love it. It has sparked math conversation with them that you know, I’d never heard before.”
Network Meeting attendees got to see teacher leaders model some of the math games they are using in their classrooms and had the opportunity to ask questions about implementation of the games. York instructional leaders and teachers offered valuable insight on how what started as a small pilot program has gradually scaled up across their district. First 10 communities. The session closed with a discussion on how other First 10 communities might implement the YM games.
Read more about the First 10 and YM Partnership in York here.