HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-04-12, Page 131111111121111111111111
•
•
News
.. :•.Lairs N.....�t...a.. r..a• G:3S•»4;&,‘.... wr«W.• ...a..641V.r«4600•1.01411,17
Family Math program makes math
fun for parents and young children
Susan H u n d e r t m a r k
Measuring objects with cut-outs of their little hands
and then comparing measurements the same objects
with cut-outs of their parents' hands, Seaforth children
are teaching their parents how much fun math can be
with the Esso Family Math program.
Going for the third year this spring for the next six
weeks at the Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre,
Esso Family Math is full with six families on the wait-
ing list in Seaforth.
"We've gotten nothing but positive comments about
the program from parents last year and its popular
again this year," says Lisa DeJong, of the Ontario Early
Years Centre in Huron County.
"It's mostly about building a positive attitude towards
math so you don't pass it on to your kids if you didn't
like math yourself," she says.
Offered to students from Junior Kindergarten to
Grade 1 and their parents, the program involves eight
activities each night that build on five different strands.
of math - numbers and number sense, graphing, pat-.•
terning, measuring or geometry and estimating.
Cutting, colouring and engaging in hands-on activi-
ties like determining how many margarine containers
it takes to fill a bucket of water, parents learn how they
can enhance their children's math skills at home.
"There's math all around you every day. Sorting laun-
dry and cutlery is a pre -math skill for JK. Counting the
stairs to bed is teaching number sense," says DeJong.
The program began at Althouse College in London
and was taught to Early Years centres throughout
Ontario.
Held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights, the pro-
gram includes supper, which is donated by local restau-
rants, to make the program more accessible to young
families.
Three primary teachers donate their time to attend
the session to be able to inform parents about curricu-
lum expectations and to take part in the activities.
DeJong says the activities are so much fun that par-
ents are surprised to realize . how much math is being
learned.
"I've had parents say at the end of the night, 'When
are we going to do the math?' And, I have to tell them,
'That was math,'" she laughs.
The program is also popular in the
Brussels area where 36 parents
tried to sign up for the 20 available
spots.
DeJong says a program may be
held soon in Ethel at Grey Central
School to meet the demand.
As well, she says an accompanying
literacy program called Alphabet
Fun might also be offered locally
soon.
It's an exciting
new program but
we don'tknow
when we're going
to run it yet,"
says DeJong.
Jeff Heuchert photo
Nick Vandermey, of Seaforth and Ed DeJong, of Blyth, raise their voices in "An ,
Evening of Praise to the Glory of God" at First Presbyterian Church in Seaforth
Sunday during a concert of Men of Note.
H. REID ALLEN
It R\I l l RI..
RI l OR \TIO\
.� kl:l l\!SUING
SEAFORTH
527-2717
The Huron Expositor • April 12, 2006 Page 13
SMOOTHCRETE)
Since 1990
Patterned Concrete
Largest Selection of styles
348-8822
348-9315 fax
www.smoothcrete.com
6• 9
We will be closed
April 14th, 2006
Deadlines are Monday
April 17"' at NOON
(Editorial & Advertising)
.Open again on Monday April 17th
Happy Easter to All!
The
10°1.1.,,C
:MTs1ini$uF
Asa:
PREMIUM QUALITY PRODUCTS
1 800 363-7560
technlseal.com
13u Root Coatlng
Ihs
reptscomnt
shiNles
• For asphalt or ;sheet metal
• Forms a protective membrane
• Prevents deterioration and corrosion
• Opaque - Allows change of color
• Makes a roof look like new
• Ideal for homes, sheds, cottages, etc.
Applied with a roller over old shingles)
AVAILABLE AT:
198 Main Street
Seaforth, ON
NOK 1 W0
(519) 527-0770