Every year about this time we challenge our students to master their math facts. This annual contest gets students to not only know the answers to problems like 7 X 8, and 9 X 6, or 144 divided by 12, but to master them so that they don't have to figure it out. They can look at the problem and know it without hesitation.
 |
Fifteen students lined up to take a test during our
Beat the Facts Challenge |
We set many goals. First, the 3rd grade works on their multiplication facts through the 9's. They take tests during the contest of 40 problems. Students are to get 34 correct in a two minute time frame. If they do, they "beat the facts" and receive recognition and a Spirit Stick. Our 4th graders take a test of 50 problems and must get 42 multiplication problems (through 12's) correct in order to "beat the facts." 5th grade has a test of 50 multiplication problems and division problems (through 12's). Their goal is also 42 correct.
After students meet their initial goal of beating the facts, they strive to improve their score. Awards are given for perfect papers and then are challenged to increase their overall average. Awards are given to students who get 100 right out of 100 and eventually some even received awards for 120 problems correct out of 120.
 |
Landon Holze, Isabel Gallegos, and Jaylyn Arp
were the three fastest in our Beat the Facts Challenge. |
The contest concluded with our annual "Beat the Facts Challenge." The top 5 students in each grade level compete to see who is the fastest in knowing their facts and can endure the pressure of the whole school watching them compete. The following are students who were the top in each grade level and competed for this honor: 3rd Grade: Landon Holze, Toby Bush, McKenna Holt, Camden Brock, and Dalton Adams. 4th Grade: Jasmin Romero, Austin Evans, Isabel Gallegos, Lauren Gill, and Caden Meinzer. 5th Grade: Jaylyn Arp, Garrett Glaser, Caleb Blanek, Caden Helona, and Cade Walker.
This was our best year of all previous Beat the Facts Contests. 263 students earned a Spirit Stick for beating the facts. Two classes (Mrs. Westerman and Mrs. Douglas) had 100% of their students beat the facts. Twenty-five 3rd graders had an average of 40+, twenty-four 4th graders earned a 50+ average, and there were twenty-six 5th graders who had a 50+ average.
BEAT THE FACTS CHALLENGE: Landon Holze, Isabel Gallegos, and Jaylyn Arp were our top three in the Beat the Facts Challenge.
AVERAGE FOR THE FIRST SEVEN TESTS: Caleb Blanek had a 91 average for the 5th grade, Jasmin Romero had an 83.14 average for the 4th grade, and Landon Holze had a 81.57 average in the 3rd grade
In preparation for our "testing season," we were blessed to have a special guest speak to our students. Holly Tucker, who was a student at Lorena Elementary School back in 2002-2003, came to uplift our students with her singing and positive comments. 
At 2:15 on Friday, March 27th, the students gathered in our Performing Arts Center to hear our famous ex-student. One of the key phrases she left with our students was that they weren't going to be taking a test, they were participating in a "Celebration of Learning." She noted how her teachers have prepared them for these celebrations and that they were ready. She encouraged them to do their best and to work hard on all the tests.