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Math Competitions for Gifted Students

November 13, 2015 By Mom

Math Contests for KidsMany gifted children and teens have a natural aptitude in math, but many parents and teachers of high ability math learners find that it can be a challenge to keep these children and teens engaged and excited about math. Gifted math students who are often light years ahead of the standard curriculum can find themselves bored and increasingly disinterested in math as the years tick by. Elementary and Junior high school students are particularly at risk for developing a poor self perception of their learning abilities in math, so it’s critical for us to protect and nurture this fundamental academic and life skill.

Regardless of whether you are fortunate enough to be the teacher in a differentiated learning environment, a teacher of one or a handful of high ability learners, or a homeschooling parent — keeping math exciting and fun can be a challenge. So, when kids are academically and psychologically ready to “move on” in math, but the schools don’t offer acceleration or differentiated curriculum (as is often the case at the elementary level), what can parents and teachers do to keep these kids motivated?

Math Contests For Gifted Children

 

Math Kangaroo Competition

Teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and educators of gifted children can enhance the math curriculum, and engage kids on a new level by participating in fun math competitions. Gifted classrooms with children as young as 1st and 2nd grade, all the way up through high school have many options to compete nationally, and even internationally, with equally talented peers.

One key benefit of participation in national and international math contests is that kids from New York to Hong Kong to Ash Fork, Arizona can connect with global peers, and engage in the common pursuit of MATH!

Math Competitions for Elementary, Middle School, and High School

Following is a list of some of the top math contests in the United States and Internationally. Some are free, some have a fee. By no means is this an all-inclusive list, and there are many more regional competitions that are not listed here.

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. — Albert Einstein

The American Mathematics Competition (the AMC 8) is an exam for students in grades 8 and below, administered annually by the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) to students all over the United States. For more than 60 years, students across the country have taken up the challenge of America’s longest-running and most prestigious math contest, The American Mathematics Competition (AMC). Children as young as 8 years old have participated in this competition, and the Mathematical Association of America encourages all students in grades 6, 7, and 8 to participate in the AMC 8.

The American Mathematics Competition (the AMC 10/12) is an exam for high school students. A special purpose of the AMC 10/12 is to help identify those few students with truly exceptional mathematics talent. Students who are among the very best deserve some indication of how they stand relative to other students in the country and around the world.

The Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) is a semiannual problem solving contest for elementary and middle school students (2nd – 6th grades). It’s a fun and interesting contest for way for parents and teachers of younger gifted children to help differentiate math and compete nationally with other high-achieving kids, and get national recognition. Kids’ names are listed on the website (or they can be listed anonymously), and making the “National Honor Roll” in math is a big achievement for elementary school kids! Gifted K-1 students can compete at the 2nd grade level. 

Math Kangaroo is an international math competition for children in grades 1-12 and takes place annually on the third Thursday in March. Winners can be featured on the website, win medals, gifts, and even academic scholarships! Every child gets a t-shirt, certificate of participation, and gift on test day. What a great way to encourage a love of math in all kids.

The USA Mathematical Talent Search is a free mathematics competition open to all United States middle and high school students. The USAMTS allows students a full month or more to work out their solutions. With permission, USAMTS participant’s names and addresses are provided to colleges, universities, and employers for recruitment purposes.

MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a math competition for students enrolled in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. MATHCOUNTS is a live, in-person event that is held in all 50 states s well as U.S. territories and schools worldwide through the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department. Competitions take place in over 500 local chapters.

The Mathnasium TriMathalon is open to kids in grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 across the United States and Canada. This free, fun-filled event allows elementary school kids to demonstrate their mathematical skills in a festive atmosphere and earn money for local schools, All participants receive a fun goody bag and the winners receive additional prizes.

The International Mathematical Olympiad Foundation runs is an international competition for high school students which has been running annually since 1959 and now has over 100 countries competing, including all members of the G20.

Math League offers a number of services focused on enhancing the quality and quantity of competitive mathematical opportunities available to students everywhere. A variety of programs are available for students in grades 3-12. 


Filed Under: Math, Portfolio, Websites For Gifted Kids Tagged With: math competition, math contest

Easy and Healthy Recipes for Gifted Kids to Make

August 28, 2015 By Mom

Ham and Pineapple Pizza

Ingredients (serves 4)

  1. 4 pitas
  2. 8 ounces sliced deli ham
  3. 18-ounce ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
  4. 18-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 425° F.
  2. Place the pitas on a baking sheet. Layer with the ham, mozzarella, and pineapple.
  3. Bake until the pitas are crisp and the cheese has melted, 10 to 12 minutes.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients (serves 6)

  1. 12 slice challah or brioche
  2. 6 tbsp. butter
  3. 12 oz. Shredded cheese

Directions

  1. Butter one side of each slice of bread.
  2. Heat a flat griddle or large frying pan over medium heat. Mound about 1/2 cup (2 ounces) cheese on each of 6 slices of bread (unbuttered side). Add any optional toppings (if using). Place remaining bread on top, buttered side up. Place 1 or 2 sandwiches (do not crowd) on griddle or skillet. (Don’t let griddle get too hot or bread will brown before cheese is melted.) When bread is golden brown underneath, turn sandwiches over and press flat with a spatula. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown on both sides. Repeat with remaining bread and cheese. Slice and serve hot.

Turkey and Cucumber Salad Wraps

Ingredients (serves 4)

  1. 0.25 c. mayonnaise
  2. 0.25 c. mango chutney
  3. Pepper
  4. 2 c. cantaloupe
  5. 0.50 small seedless (English) cucumber
  6. 0.50 c. packed fresh cilantro leaves
  7. 4 flour tortillas or wraps
  8. 1 lb. reduced-sodium deli smoked turkey
  9. 2 c. mixed greens

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, stir together mayonnaise, chutney, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Add cantaloupe, cucumber, and cilantro; toss to combine.
  2. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, place about 3/4 cup cantaloupe mixture, 1/2 cup greens, and 1/4 pound turkey in center of tortilla. Fold in sides and roll tightly around filling. Serve immediately or wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 hours.

Chicken Pot Popovers

Ingredients (serves 6)

Popovers:

  1. Baking spray with flour
  2. 1 cup whole milk
  3. 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  4. 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  5. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  6. Kosher salt
  7. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  8. 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Filling:

  1. 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  2. 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  3. 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  4. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  5. 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  6. 1/2 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded and white and dark meat shredded (about 3 cups)
  7. 1/4 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with the baking spray.
  2. For the popovers: Whisk the milk, flour, eggs, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl until combined. Drizzle in the melted butter while whisking until combined; let the batter stand for 5 minutes. Add the baking powder; whisk the batter to combine and divide it evenly among the muffin cups (a scant 1/4 cup batter per muffin cup). Bake the popovers until puffed and browned around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan about halfway through.
  3. For the filling: While the popovers are baking, put the broth and flour into a medium saucepan and whisk until the flour is dissolved. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a boil; continue to whisk until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and whisk in 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in the peas and carrots, then the chicken; cover to keep warm.
  4. To assemble: When the popovers are done, turn them out of the pan, using a small spatula if necessary. Arrange 2 popovers on each of six plates or bowls and top with the chicken filling, dividing evenly among the popovers. Garnish with chopped parsley and sprinkle on the remaining 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan.

Whole- Wheat Pizza Hand Pockets

Ingredients (makes 8 pockets)

  1. 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
  2. 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta
  3. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  4. 4 ounces sliced pepperoni, cut into thin strips
  5. 1 large egg yolk; plus 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  6. Kosher salt
  7. 1 pound fresh whole-wheat pizza dough
  8. Whole-wheat flour, for dusting
  9. 1/3 cup prepared pizza sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Mix together the mozzarella, ricotta, Parmesan, pepperoni, egg yolk and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
  3. Divide the dough into eight even pieces. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and roll a piece of dough out into a 5-inch round. Put 2 heaping tablespoonfuls of the cheese filling in the center and top with about 2 teaspoonfuls of sauce. Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg and fold one side over the filling to make a half moon. Press and crimp the edges. Put the pocket on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, filling and sauce. Brush the tops of the hand pockets with egg and cut a 1-inch vent in the center of each.
  4. Bake until golden brown and the filling begins to bubble, 24 to 28 minutes. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
  5. Alternatively, freeze the unbaked hand pockets for up to 1 month; bake as above, from frozen, 25 to 29 minutes.

 

 

I have tried most of these out and they are really good 🙂

*Always remember to ask a parent for help while putting something in the oven or using a knife

Filed Under: Blog, Fun Recipes, Portfolio

Real-Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Gluten Free!

February 23, 2014 By Mom

These really are real-deal chocolate-chip cookies! They are gluten free, very chocolaty, and VERY delicious!

Real-Deal Chocolate Chip Cookies- Super chocolaty, and no gluten! Sounds like the real deal to me!

*This recipe is from Danielle Miller, and you can see the full recipe with baking instructions on her website.

Yummy gluten-free cookies!
Yummy gluten-free chocolate chip cookies!

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup palm shortening or grass fed butter
  • ¼ cup coconut palm sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1½ cups blanched almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate pieces (just chop up a dark chocolate bar)
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips

Filed Under: Fun Recipes, Portfolio

The Best Cupcakes I’ve Had In a Long Time

May 20, 2013 By Mom

Devil’s Food Cupcakes

Devil's Food Cupcakes
Finished Cupcakes!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup hot water
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/4 tsp coarse salt
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter
  • 2 1/4 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sour cream

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cocoa and hot water in a bowl until there are no cocoa chunks in it. In a separate bowl, mix together the baking soda and baking powder, the coarse salt, and the all-purpose flour.
  2. Put a saucepan on the stove on medium/simmering heat, and add the butter and the sugar and let it melt. Continuously mix it until it is completely melted. Turn the stove off, and mix it with a electric mixer until it cools off.

Filed Under: Fun Recipes, Portfolio

Games for Gifted Children

February 3, 2012 By Mom

Looking for inexpensive games for young gifted children?  Most of the lists available online contain fun, but often complicated games intended for older kids.  We’ve put together a list of our top 10 games of all time for young gifted children in preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade.

Most of the games are around $10 or less, and are fast and fun for the entire family to play!

Top 10 Games for Gifted Children – Fun for preschool to adult.  Essential criteria for a game to make our top 10 list is that adults agree it’s enjoyable to play too!

Websites for Gifted Children – Science, math, and general knowledge websites that our gifted children enjoy.

Filed Under: Parents Corner, Websites For Gifted Kids

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