🧮 Math in Action – GH Lions PTA

Math in Action is a free math enrichment program for all K–5 students at Greathouse Shryock.
The program runs throughout the school year and gives students the chance to tackle fun, challenging problems that build confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.

Unlike traditional homework, Math in Action is designed to encourage exploration and growth. It’s about celebrating effort, helping kids learn to think in new ways, and showing them that math can be exciting rather than intimidating.

https://www.mathinaction.org/greathouse-shryock-traditional.html

How to Participate

• No sign-up is required. Every student is automatically invited to join.
  
  

• There will be 15 challenges throughout the school year.
  
  

• Each challenge submission will be posted here as a Google Form link.
  
  

• Students have two weeks to complete each challenge. The forms will close automatically after the deadline.
  
  

• All K–5 questions are open to every student:
  
  

  • Students only need to complete the minimum required for their grade to qualify.
    
    

  • They may try higher-level questions for fun if they want — but this is optional, not expected.
    
    

  • Parents are encouraged not to push children beyond their grade level. The goal is growth, curiosity, and confidence, not stress.
    
    

• Forms are auto-graded. When a student submits, they’ll see immediately if they met their grade’s minimum requirement.
  
  

📅 Families can check the Math in Action Calendar for each challenge’s open/close dates and when solutions will be posted.

Recognition & Prizes

• Every completed challenge earns the student an entry into that round’s prize drawing.
  
  

• Students who complete 10 or more challenges by the end of the year will earn a special Math in Action brag tag.
  
  

• At our end-of-year Awards Ceremony, students who have shown outstanding effort and commitment may also receive extra recognition from the PTA.
  
  

• All prizes, brag tags, and certificates are proudly supported by GH Lions PTA.
  
  

Benefits of Math in Action

Participating in Math in Action helps children:

• Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  
  

• Build confidence in math outside of the classroom.
  
  

• Learn persistence by trying multiple strategies and not giving up when problems get tricky.
  
  

• See math as fun and rewarding — something to look forward to each month, not a chore.
  
  

• Grow at their own pace, with opportunities to stretch into new challenges if they choose.
  
  

Tips for Families

• 💡 Make it a family activity: sit together, ask questions, and encourage curiosity.
  
  

• 💡 Remind kids that mistakes are part of learning — effort matters more than perfection.
  
  

• 💡 Ask them to explain their thinking — through words, drawings, or numbers.
  
  

• 💡 Celebrate every step: meeting the minimum requirement is a win worth cheering!
  
  

✨ At Greathouse Shryock, our hope is that by the end of the year, students won’t just be “completing challenges” — they’ll be looking forward to them and discovering that math is something they truly enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do we need to sign up?
No — all K–5 students at Greathouse are automatically welcome. Just complete the challenges as they are posted.

What if my child misses a challenge?
That’s okay! There are 15 challenges total, and students only need to complete 10 to qualify for recognition at the end of the year.

Can parents help?
Yes — parents are encouraged to talk through problems with their child. The program is about learning, confidence, and persistence. Please let kids try first, then guide them with questions rather than giving answers.

Can my child do higher grade-level problems?
Yes — all grade levels are open to every student. However, they only need to complete the minimum for their own grade to qualify for prizes and recognition. Higher-level problems are optional and just for fun.

Will students get feedback?
Yes — the Google Form is auto-graded. When students submit, they will see if they’ve met the minimum required for their grade.

Can students redo a challenge?
Yes — they can resubmit as long as the Google Form is still open (before the deadline). The final submission before the form closes will count.

What are the prizes?
Each challenge completed = entry in a small prize drawing. Students who complete 10 or more challenges by year’s end will receive a Math in Action brag tag, plus special recognition at the Awards Ceremony.

Who runs this program?
Math in Action is provided through mathinaction.org and supported locally by GH Lions PTA.

Do we need printed copies of the challenge packet?

Students can simply lookup the questions online from the link provided or may print the packet at home or request a copy from their homeroom teacher. To manage volunteer workload, all submissions must be through the Google Form — we cannot accept paper-based entries.

👉 If a student is truly interested but does not have resources at home, please reach out to the homeroom teacher or email us at programs@ghlionspta.org. We will work with you to find alternatives so every child can participate. 

Chairpersons: Vinay Kumar at president@ghlionspta.org and Cindy Evensen at programs@ghlionspta.org