The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
STUDENTS SHOW OFF MATH SKILLS
Local school districts hold competition
“The goal is for the students to tap the card in the center before their peers do, and then use all four numbers on the card to make the number 24.”
— Cathy Fischer, gifted supervisor at the Education Service Center
Students from local school districts gathered Feb. 7 at the Education Service Center of Lorain County, 1885 Lake Ave. in Elyria, for a competition that tested their math skills.
“The 24 Game competition is something we hold for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in districts that are part of our Gifted Consortium (Amherst, Avon Lake, Firelands, North Ridgeville, Oberlin and Perkins) every year,” said Cathy Fischer, gifted supervisor at the Education Service Center.
Fischer said the competition is centered around 24 Game, which is a card game that test students arithmetic skills.
“Students, sitting around a table, will have a card put at the center,” she said. “The card has four numbers on it. “The goal is for the students to tap the card in the center before their peers do, and then use all four numbers on the card to make the number 24. They can add, subtract, multiply and divide. It’s a multiple step process that tests students’ accuracy and speed.”
Tracy Butchko, gifted assistant at the Education Service Center, said the students at the competition were the top performers from their respective districts.
“They hold competitions at their schools and then come
here to compete against kids from other districts,” Butchko said. “The students compete in 10 minute rounds. “At the end, there will be awards handed out for top finishers in each grade and consolation awards.” Mark Miller, a gifted supervisor at the Education Service Center, said the competition ultimately is all about the students having fun. “It should be a fun experience for them,” Miller said. “It’s good for kids to be competing in an academic competition and working to sharpen their math skills. “I love seeing the kids enjoy this. The teachers and the administrators at the schools deserve a lot of the credit for all the work they do in making this happen.” Pam Geraci, a sixth-grade Avon Lake City Schools teacher, said there is a buildup to the competition every year. “We have classes practice with the game every once in a while,” Geraci said. “We then hold our school’s competition, which had 100 participants this year, right before the holidays. “The students have gotten really good, and some have even gotten their own decks. It’s a great thing for them to be passionate about.” Ethan Stanulet, 10, a fifthgrader from North Ridgeville, said math is his favorite subject. “I just love it,” Ethan said. “The game is really fun to play. I enjoy seeing the card and looking for how the numbers can make 12 and go from there.” Nathan Bubar, 10, also a North Ridgeville fifthgrader, said math is fun for him. “It’s a subject that has been easy for me,” Nathan said. “The game is a great way to test my skills. Solving math equations is just something I like to do.”