Enthusiasm = Math Challenge2
This is certainly what we experienced at the schools participating in the first Speed Math Challenge being hosted by Vedic Maths Forum South Africa.
The initiative started in March this year where five schools in Cape Town: Rylands Primary, Starling Primary, Habibia Primary, Regina Coeli and Turfhall Primary agreed to participate in the Speed Math Challenge. We then conducted workshops for the Grade 4’s, 5’s and 6’s where they were taught some High Speed Vedic Maths methods for addition, subtraction and multiplication. Each child then completed a written test and the top 9 scorers in each Grade identified.
The next phase was a Knock-Out Round at each school to choose 1 team of 3 learners in each Grade to represent their school. This was conducted from 17 – 24 June. There was excitement, tension and some nerves as the learners raced against the clock to complete calculations and Maths puzzles.
We were taken aback at the warm welcome from the schools and learners. At each school, we learnt something new that will help us on this mission of spreading the love of Maths.
The final will take place on Saturday, 2 August at Turfhall Primary School in Cape Town, where 3 teams from each of the schools will compete against each other to see who is the best at Speed Maths.
Here are some of the photographs taken during the Knock-Out Rounds at the schools.
Habibia Primary School:
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| Warm welcome |
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| Mandalas- Geometry and Art - Grade 5 |
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| Mandalas- Geometry and Art - Grade 5 |
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| "We are ready to begin." |
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| Our panel: timekeeper and scorer |
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| Our audience - can they work it out? |
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| Grade 6 Teams |
Regina Coeli Primary:
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| Explaining the rules |
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| Ready, Set, GO! |
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| "EEK!" |
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| "I know the answer." |
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| Practice makes perfect. |
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| "I don't get this." |
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| "We're almost out of time!" |
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| Team Challenge |
Starling Primary School:![]() |
| "This is easy!" |
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| "This is how you do it." |
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| The only team to complete the Sudoku Challenge - WELL DONE! |
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| Grade 6 Teams |
Rylands Primary School:
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| "Grade 4's - are you ready?" |
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| "This is what you need to do." |
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| "Oh the PRESSURE!" |
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| Team Spirit |
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| "I can explain the pattern!" |
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| Grade 5 Teams |
On 2 August, all five schools will compete in the Final Challenge.
