Math Expo

A couple of weeks ago Bebe's school held a Math Expo.  They do it every year and for 2 years we didn't participate.  But this year I decided Bebe should do it.  I wanted to give her a little boost of confidence in her math skills.  We decided, okay I decided, on a topic.  She couldn't think of anything, so I came up with the Summer Olympics.  We decided how to make some predictions based on simple graphs and averages using historical data.  She decided to make predictions about how the US would rank in this Olympics, how the UK would rank, and how many gold, silver, and bronze (individually and collectively) medals we would win.  So I set her up with some websites and she gathered all of her data and I helped her build graphs.  Then I showed her how to do averages and she did all of the calculations.  She worked hard...she even wanted to give up a couple of times and I talked her out of quitting.  She said one time, "I just really wanted to glue things on the board.  That's all."   We put all of her work on a display board and she practiced telling what she did.  She was pretty nervous to do the interview in front of the judges, but I knew she could do it!

Let's be honest here when I say...I just wanted her to get a boost of confidence.  I wasn't going for a win or anything...okay I was hoping for at least an Honorable Mention ribbon!  Soooo, the day of judging I was just about to bust by the time Bebe got home from school.  But the first thing she said off the bus was that awards would be given out the next day.  She said she felt like she did a good job and she was really beaming...so there was my reward!  Of course, the next day...I still couldn't wait to find out.  I actually had to go to the school that morning to volunteer, so I stopped by the library before I went to her class and saw the projects.  I looked at her board and lo and behold...there was a First Place ribbon!  Whoo Hoo!  When I got to her classroom she ran up to me and hugged me with such excitement and she whispered, "I won!"  They had announced it over the intercom and she said her whole class clapped and cheered.  Again...my reward!  I was so happy for her...to feel that confidence and pride in working hard and being recognized for her work...love it!  And to have her classmates and teacher so proud of her...it was great.

Now...on to the Regionals!  Wish us luck!  Seriously...I'll take an Honorable Mention...even a participant ribbon! ha