As autumn deepens, each of the SHSID campus’s  grades 1-3 welcomes the highly anticipated Math Week activities. Every teacher and every student transformed into a dancer in the world of mathematics. Waltzing with numbers to the melody of logic, and together exploring the mysteries and charms of mathematics. This is not just a game of numbers, but a comprehensive, mathematical journey involving everyone. Let us join hands and embark on this wonderful journey of mathematics, filled with mysteries and surprises!

G1 Math in Nature

Nature is undoubtedly a poem intricately woven with the language of mathematics. This week, our first graders began on a mathematical exploration journey, diving into nature's embrace to interpret and appreciate the world around them using the perspective of mathematics.

On Monday, the children were captivated by a fascinating video titled 'Mathematics in Nature.' In the video, nature revealed the mysteries of mathematics in its unique way, from the intricate arrangement of flowers to the wonderful growth of leaves, each telling of the endless charm of mathematics. After watching the video, the children focused intently on filling out the KWL chart, with curiosity and enthusiasm. They not only reviewed the mathematical knowledge they had already mastered but also eagerly listed new areas and points of knowledge they are looking forward to exploring further in their future studies.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the activities ignited the children's passion even more. Eagerly stepping out of the classroom, they ventured into nature to trace mathematics firsthand. Picking up stones from the ground and fallen leaves, these seemingly ordinary natural elements transformed into magical materials for building mathematical models in their hands. They use carefully selected natural elements to arrange mathematical formulas around the campus. Through such intuitive and vivid interactions, the children not only deepened their understanding of mathematical concepts but also cultivated sharp observational skills and rigorous logical thinking in joy.

By Thursday, on Thanksgiving, the children brought mathematics into their celebrations. They cleverly adorned each turkey's wings with equations of 'fact families' they had learned, adding fun to the festivities and allowing the children to review mathematical knowledge in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, making the week's learning activities full of surprises and gains.

Furthermore, the children excitedly wore carefully crafted outfits adorned with numbers and geometric shapes, to express their love and spirit of of mathematics.

On Friday, the children picked up their brushes and transformed a week's exploration into brilliant paintings under their pens. They wonderfully showcased the magic of 'doubles in nature,' a perfect fusion of observation and imagination, reigniting the spark of mathematical wisdom.

G2 Animal Park Architects

This week, the second-grade classroom transformed into a lively "Animal Park Workshop," where young mathematicians took on the roles of zoo architects. Thus began an exciting and creative mathematical adventure!  

On Monday, the students faced their first challenge—choosing and purchasing animals for the zoo. While the task seemed simple, the limited budget of $100 posed quite the test for the young accountants. To balance cost and quantity, they had to calculate and compare prices. After much discussion and deliberation, they successfully bought lively rabbits, majestic lions, serene turtles, and so much more.  

On Tuesday, the young recorders stepped up to measure and record the length of each animal, ensuring that their habitats would be perfectly tailored to their needs. Armed with small rulers, the students worked with the precision of professional surveyors. To guarantee accuracy, the groups divided responsibilities: some measured, others recorded, and a few double-checked the data. Through this process, they learned the importance of attention to detail and teamwork.  

On Wednesday, it was time for the designers to shine! They applied their knowledge of 3D shapes learned in class to create a uniquely designed park. Cylindrical trees provided shade for the animals, cubic houses served as cozy homes, and spherical decorations added charm and vibrancy to the zoo. When designing gardens and rest areas for visitors, the students even considered the flow of foot traffic and meticulously planned every detail. By the end of the day, the initial layout of the zoo had taken shape, brimming with promise and creativity.  

On Thursday, the zoo welcomed a special guest—a little frog that had been living in a well. Upon hearing about the zoo’s wonderful environment, the frog eagerly came to “apply” for a spot. The young architects were thrilled by the request and embraced the new challenge. They quickly divided tasks, calculating the dimensions of the frog’s new home, designing a spacious jumping area, a clear pool, and planting greenery suited for its habitat. In the end, a comfortable and inviting new home was completed, and the students beamed with pride as they admired their work.  

On Friday, the zoo officially opened, and the young tour guides led “visitors” through their masterpieces. With enthusiasm, they introduced the animals: “Welcome to our zoo! Here you’ll find serene turtles swimming gracefully, parrots soaring high, and majestic lions standing proudly.” Visitors were captivated by the creativity on display, and the students basked in the joy and satisfaction of their hard work.  

This week’s math adventure not only taught the students how to apply mathematical concepts in real-life scenarios but also challenged their teamwork and creativity. Through their dedication and ingenuity, they built an animal kingdom filled with joy and dreams. Now, they eagerly await their next magical math journey!

G3 Little Warriors of Math Planet

In the exciting activities of Math Week, the third-grade students followed Mathie to challenge themselves as brave warriors of the Math Planet. They fully experienced the wonderful connection between mathematics and other subjects, deepening their understanding of math while also cultivating interdisciplinary thinking through hands-on practice and creative activities.

On Monday, the children embarked on a cross-disciplinary journey between mathematics and Chinese. They found the traces of math in the structure of Chinese characters—by breaking down and combining characters, they discovered symmetry and balance. Through poetry and idioms, the students realized that mathematics has long been embedded in our language.

On Tuesday, the math warriors entered the world of architecture, where they used geometry and measurement knowledge to build paper bridges. Through this hands-on activity, they experienced how to apply mathematical principles to create buildings that are both beautiful and sturdy.

On Wednesday, the young warriors participated in a special Math Olympics. In this event, math was no longer just numbers and formulas; it transformed into dynamic sports activities. Through these fun-filled events, the children not only exercised their bodies but also deepened their intuitive understanding of mathematical concepts.

Thursday's "Math · Fashion · Bingo Day" was the highlight of Math Week. The children unleashed their creativity by designing outfits filled with mathematical elements. Some clothes featured symmetrical patterns, while others were decorated with numbers and geometric shapes, showcasing the ubiquitous presence of mathematics in daily life.

On Friday, in the combination of art and mathematics, the students used math to draw beautiful curves and experienced the application of geometric shapes in art. Teachers guided them to discover the hidden math in everyday objects, inspiring them to see beauty and creativity through the lens of mathematics.

The activities of Math Week are like a dazzling display of fireworks, gathering the crystallization of students' wisdom and unique insights into mathematical knowledge, allowing every participant to deeply appreciate the infinite charm of learning mathematics. With the successful conclusion of this week, we have not only gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, but also experienced the joy and value of mathematics through exploration and practice. As we are about to set sail on a new journey, let us carry these beautiful memories and full expectations, continue to soar in the world of mathematics, welcome more splendid mathematical feasts in the future.

Written by Yu Lin, Yixing He, Yuanjing Zhang

Pictures by Homeroom teachers, Siying Li

Edited by Cong Luo

Reviewed by Zhang Yi, Ge Xumei, Luo Cong, Emma Hackett