Istarted a math club for students from kindergarten through third grade at my daughters' private co-ed school. As a high school math teacher, I hoped to instill a love of mathematics in children. Starting a math club as early as kindergarten and having a range of grade levels can be successful. With the help of older students, the varied age groups are entertained and excited about attending math club. The purpose of the club is to enrich the classroom mathematics curriculum with hands-on activities and to have members participate in age-appropriate contests. Now, three years into math club at this level, I believe the club has been successful in engaging young children in mathematics.
Ann M. Perry, aperry@stjosephacademy.org, teaches high school mathematics at St. Joseph's Academy in St. Louis, Missouri. As a hobby, she leads a math club at her daughters' elementary school.