Frequently Asked Questions
About Mixing in Math
Kids need to have different kinds of experiences after school. Why should they do more math?
Our schedule is packed. Will I have to drop something in order to make time for Mixing in Math?
Can children use Mixing in Math on their own?
About Training
Do I need training to use Mixing in Math?
About the Math
How can I learn more about the math in Mixing in Math activities?
How do Mixing in Math activities relate to math standards, curriculum, and testing?
About Mixing in Math
Mixing in Math is a set of activities that slip a little math into kids’ everyday routines and projects, such as playing outdoors, dancing, cooking, and learning about others. The activities are designed for use in after-schools and other programs serving 5-13 year olds
Mixing in Math activities are easy to lead—even if you have no math background—easy to prep, fun to do, and free!
Kids need to have different kinds of experiences after school. Why should they do more math (especially if they already have math homework)?
Mixing in Math is designed to be part of all the running, playing, reading, drawing, socializing, and just plain hanging out that kids enjoy doing after school!
The focus is on hands-on math skills useful in everyday life: things like doubling recipes, measuring for art projects, and timing how long it takes to do something. These skills often play a role in high-stakes testing.
The schedule is packed. Will I have to drop something in order to make time for Mixing in Math?
You won't need to give up anything! Mixing in Math can enhance your favorite, tried-and-true activities. Here’s how:
- The activities can be done in any order. Use one, several, or all of them.
- The activities can be done as part of your regular attendance, snack, and meeting routines, or just once or twice a month, you decide.
- The activities are listed by how much time they take, ranging from under 10 minutes to 30 minutes or more. Choose according to how much time you have. Click here for the list.
Can children use Mixing in Math on their own, or do I need to lead the activities?
Mixing in Math includes several activities that children can do alone or in small groups. Older children can also lead some of the activities with younger children
Will the activities work for the age group I serve?
The activities are geared for children in grades K-7. Click here to use the Activities by level list to choose an activity that will work for all ages or will be a good fit for your group.
How can I get the Mixing in Math materials?
Drafts of Mixing in Math activities and training materials are available for free downloading. You may make as many copies as you wish. We will be updating the website periodically, as we revise the activities and develop new ones. By summer 2007, when our funding for this project is over, we expect to have final versions of 40 activities.
About TrainingDo I need training to use Mixing in Math?
No training is required in order to use the activities.
What are the benefits of training?
A key reason for training is to demonstrate just how easy Mixing in Math is to use. For time-crunched after-school providers training can build a comfort level with new materials.
Training simply involves doing one or more activities, becoming familiar with the format of the materials, and making a plan for mixing the activities into the schedule.
How can I participate in a training?
You can download (draft) training materials from Mixing in Math’s website and use them as a basis for conducting your own trainings. Training sessions can be led by anyone who is excited about Mixing in Math activities and wants to share that excitement with others.
About the Math
How can I learn more about the math in Mixing in Math
activities?
Each activity includes information on a related math topic and on everyday life math connections. Look for the spotlight icon and refer to these sections for a deeper view of the math in the activity and why it's important.
Click here to download the Mixing in Math content chart showing the skills each Mixing in Math activity addresses.
How do Mixing in Math activities relate to math standards, curriculum, and testing?
Teachers and principals should be able to list the topics children in each grade cover and are tested on. Compare these topics with those in the Mixing in Math Content Chart, full version, to choose the Mixing in Math activities that will build the skills critical to children's school success.
Curriculum, standards, and testing programs vary widely across the US. Contact your state’s department of education, for more information. To learn more about standards, consult the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (www.nctm.org).
Type them here. We'll answer you directly, and will be posting responses to the most frequently asked questions as we regularly update this site.
Click here to download a PDF of the Mixing in Math FAQs.
