Newport Heights PTA Math Challenge Program

NHES families said they wanted STEM-related enrichment opportunities for their children. Newport Heights PTA is excited to offer the Math Challenge Program at our school.

NOTE: In January 2023, we made some changes to streamline the submission process. Scroll down to learn how to participate in the program, and submit your completed worksheets.

About Math Challenge

• Math Challenge is an enrichment program open to all Newport Heights Elementary students in partnership with Math in Action. All students K to Grade 5 are invited to participate. The program is free. You are automatically registered when you submit your first challenge.

• There will be 15 challenges throughout the school year; a new set of problems is published every other week or so starting in late September and ending in May.

• Each challenge presents 10 to 18 problems ordered by level of difficulty.

Benefits

• The purpose of this program is to engage students and challenge them to solve interesting math problems while along the way, strengthen their problem-solving skills and math fundamentals.

• The Math Challenge Program improves children’s overall math attitudes.

• Students expand their mathematical knowledge as they work with friends and family members to solve these problems.

How to submit your answers

• Each challenge will be released on a Friday. You will have about 2 weeks to complete it. The schedule is posted below.

• Download open challenges using the links at the top of this page.

• Complete the challenge and submit by entering your answers in via email, or by deliver a paper copy to the PTA mailbox in the school office. Remember: Your student does not need to answer every problem. (See “How Can I Help My Child Be Successful?” below.)

• The challenges encourage problem solving strategies such as draw a picture or model, make an organized list, look for a pattern, work backward, and guess and check.

• We love to see solutions that show how students are thinking about the math. If your student has a solution (using words, pictures, numbers, diagrams, photos, etc.) that they’d like to share, send a photo or digital copy to us at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org. With permission we’ll share these on the PTA website.

• Problems get more challenging as you work through each challenge. Encourage your student to solve as many problems as they can. Students may attempt any number of problems. (Use the “required” number of problems for each grade level as a guideline.)
• Remember that students may ask a friend or family member if they need help getting started. Good mathematicians help each other expand their thinking! The Math Challenge is supposed to be fun! Productive struggle is good, but it’s time for a break if that struggle is turning to frustration.
• Focus on more than getting the right answer. Encourage your child to use a variety of problem-solving strategies

• Watch this page for tips and ideas on helping your child without doing too much. Our goal is to provide every NHE student with a “just-right” challenging math experience. If you find that the format is simply too difficult or too easy for your child, please let us know. We’ll work with you to make appropriate modifications. Happy Solving!

Prizes and Recognition

Sign up for Math Challenge Email Reminders!

Register for email updates when each Math Challenge is released (Fridays at noon) by sending a request to mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org. Email reminders will have easy links for each part of the Math Challenge process!!

Questions?

For questions, technical assistance, or to request accommodations for your student, please email us at mathchallenge@nhe-pta.org.

Math Challenge Archive (2021-2022 School Year)

MC#15, “Algebraic and Logical Reasoning
Solutions

MC #14, “Working Backwards”
Solutions

MC #13, “Cubes and Cuboids”
Solutions

MC#12, “2D Shapes”
Solutions

MC #11, “Mixed Problems”
Solutions

MC #10, ”Coins & Money Problems”
Solutions

MC #9 “Exploring Patterns”
Solutions

MC #8 “Logic and Reasoning” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #7 “Draw a Model” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #6 “Winter Math Problems” (PDF)
Solutions 

MC #5 “Sharing and Halving” (PDF)
Solutions 

MC #4 “Something is Missing”
Solutions

MC #3 “Autumn Medley” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #2 “Three or More Numbers” (PDF)
Solutions

MC #1 “One through Twelve” (PDF)
Solutions

Every challenge and answer sheet on one page (Math in Action website)