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I just signed ds7 (2nd grade) up for his first math competition TriMathlon hosted at Mathnasium. Has anyone had experience with this? Should I enter him in grade level or above grade level? His spring math MAP score (1st grade) was 233.


Thank you

anyone?

Their website says kids should be placed based on age, so go with 2nd.

Sorry to not have anything helpful to say; we don't seem to have math competition teams in our area (or at least I haven't been able to find any yet) so I am not sure. I did just Google Mathnasium and they are in our area but their main/regular (i.e., not math competition) stuff looks remedial-ish, unless I'm misunderstanding. I don't know about TriMathlon--are there other options in your area? Or online options? I am trying to learn but have struck out so far here (Research Triangle area, in NC) and was thinking maybe in middle school there might be more or online options.

Good luck with TriMathlon

No experience with it, but after reading your post I printed out their grade three sample sheet and DS burned through it with no mistakes. If I tell him there are prizes I quite imagine he'll insist on doing it. Couldn't hurt as he may have a strange opportunity coming up where some math "street creds" may be good for him.

Thanks for the tip. We've just signed up our DS7 (2nd grade), as a 2nd grader. I think it's fine to sign up for their actual official grade even if they are doing much more advanved maths.

In math competitions like this you typically sign up with your grade. Unsurprisingly, the winners often turn out to be kids who are working above grade level.

Math Kangaroo is a more interesting competition at this grade level -- the problems on their tests involve more creative problem solving and doing old exams for practice can become a fun activity that builds these skills.

Hmmm what is the benefits of these competitions? I am thinking of having DS do one as there is a mathnasium competition in our area... How are such things set up? Do they work in teams or solo or what?

Mathnasium is solo. If you go to their site, then go to the student link you can get to printable samples of past tests. I think the benefit here is potential success and experience with this sort of competitive format.

Oh thanks!