Math Olympiad is a world-wide mathematics problem solving competition that we are excited to have our students participate in! Our 5th grade Talent Development/Catalyst students will be officially competing again this year, while our 3rd and 4th graders will begin learning problem solving strategies to prepare them for next year. The goals of this program are:
- To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
- To introduce important Mathematical concepts
- To teach major strategies for problem solving
- To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
- To strengthen Mathematical intuition
- To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
- To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges
Once each week we meet in teams (during math class) to use problem solving strategies on practice problems. Then, students participate in the monthly contest (starting in November). Each "Olympiad" (contest) consists of five problems. Students have 25 minutes to solve as many problems as they can. The goal is for each child to try to get at least one correct - these are very difficult!
The Problem Solver
In order to help students prepare for the Math Olympiad contests we utilize The Problem Solver, which incorporates the following 4 step method and 10 problem solving strategies.
Step 1 - Find Out what the question is asking you. We encourage students to underline the question.
Step 2 - Choose a Strategy - Each student selects the strategy of their choice.
Step 3 - Solve the problem. Students must show their work!
Step 4 - Check your work. Students re-read the question and check to make sure their answer is reasonable and answers the question.
PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES
1. Draw a Picture
2. Make It Simpler - eliminate information you do not need
3. Find a Pattern
4. Guess, check, and revise
5. Make an Organized List
6. Work Backwards
7. Make a Table
8. Act It Out or Use Objects
9. Use Logical Reasoning
10. Brainstorm
In order to help students prepare for the Math Olympiad contests we utilize The Problem Solver, which incorporates the following 4 step method and 10 problem solving strategies.
Step 1 - Find Out what the question is asking you. We encourage students to underline the question.
Step 2 - Choose a Strategy - Each student selects the strategy of their choice.
Step 3 - Solve the problem. Students must show their work!
Step 4 - Check your work. Students re-read the question and check to make sure their answer is reasonable and answers the question.
PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES
1. Draw a Picture
2. Make It Simpler - eliminate information you do not need
3. Find a Pattern
4. Guess, check, and revise
5. Make an Organized List
6. Work Backwards
7. Make a Table
8. Act It Out or Use Objects
9. Use Logical Reasoning
10. Brainstorm