Math Olympiad

Math Olympiad at Maywood Hills is our winter team sport.  We start putting teams together in December, so that we are ready for a busy January through March practice season.  One hour team practices are held twice per week.  The season ends with a district wide competition usually held in March, where our teams get a chance to show how much they've learned.

This program is open to 4th & 5th graders.  Math Olympiad gives our students a chance to challenge themselves in Math concepts above their normal grade level curriculum.  While a student does not need to be a math genius to participate in this program, team members are expected to do their best to learn as much as they can to support their teammates.  Participants are assigned required homework to prepare for team practices. 

If you are up for a challenge and want to learn how to solve math problems that your parents might not be able to do, then Math Olympiad is perfect for you.

Join the Maywood Hills Tigers!

Here are quotes from some team members on what they liked most about Math Olympiad:

"One of the best parts of Math Olympiad, is taking away all kinds of cool math skills.  I learned ratios, percentages, algebra, circumferences, pi, and so much more!" -- Emily Spanton, 2019

"I liked working with friends on problems." -- Milan B. Vincic III, 2019

"I like the taste of winning and the NEMO challenges." -- Malika N. 2019

"I liked winning medals, because they make me proud." -- Daphne U. 2019

"I like team work and learning about hard math." -- Shun, 2019

"Being awesome and WINNING." -- Callista R. 2019

"I liked the teamwork involved in Math Olympiad" -- Alex Murillo, 2019

"I like pizza." -- Rajeev, 2019  (Coach's note:  We don't have pizza all the time.)

"My favorite part was winning!  Make sure to quadruple check your work!" -- Clara F. 2019

"Math Olympiad is awesome, but it does take time and effort!" -- Kaylee E. 2019

"I love the contest!" -- Changle Wang, 2019

"Do or do not, there is no try" -- Yoda / Sriram, 2019

Please print out the PDF Permission Form and sign and return to Mr. Pierce.  The information is also included here for your convenience.

 

MATH OLYMPIAD (4th & 5th Grade):

All 4th and 5th graders are invited to join the Maywood Hills Math Olympiad Team coached by Mr. Pierce. 

2019 Q&A meetings:  There will be two meetings on Monday December 2nd.  These meetings are for you to ask questions you may have about the program.  Pick the appropriate meeting to attend.  If you don't have any questions, you can skip the meetings and just attend the regular practices.  Parents are welcome to join us:

12:00 noon -  Recess for 4th graders:  In the Library Annex.

12:30 pm -  Recess for 5th graders:  In the Library Annex.

If you can not make either of these meetings, you may still ask questions via email at lpierce@nsd.org.

Practices start on Tuesday and Wednesday:

5th grade first practice is after school on Tuesday December 3rd (Library Annex).  3:30 to 4:30 pm.  Your second practice will be Thursday.

4th grade first practice is after school on Wednesday December 4th (Library Annex).  2:00 to 3:00 pm.  Your second practice will be on Friday 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

We will plan to meet Tuesday/Thursday (5th grade) and Wednesday/Friday (4th grade) until the NEMO competition on Saturday March 21, 2020.  We will try to conduct a practice simulation test on a Saturday prior to the test.  The date and time to be determined.

If you have problems with the days of the week your grade is scheduled, please contact Mr. Pierce to see if something else could be worked out.

The Math Olympiad Team will compete at this year’s Northshore Elementary Math Olympiad (NEMO).  Math Olympiad is a way for students to engage in advanced math problem solving in a fun yet competitive atmosphere.  You do not have to be a math genius, but you should enjoy math, and look forward to challenging yourself.

If you decide to be a member of the Maywood Hills Math Olympiad Team you need to:

• Attend practices for your grade level.
• Complete homework practice questions in addition to your regular homework.
• Be prepared to work cooperatively with others in math problem solving.
• Know that you are a good math student who would like a challenge.
• Sign and return the agreement on the 2nd page to Mr. Pierce.

Please contact Larry Pierce at lpierce@nsd.org with any questions.  We will also try to update the Maywood Hills website with any important information.

 

MATH OLYMPIAD INFO & SIGN-UP FORM

 

·      This program is designed for students who would like to challenge themselves in math.  It will require extra effort at practices and includes homework problems.                                                

·      Students compete in squads of four.  Squad mates are from the same school and grade-level.

·      Students should bring calculators, several sharpened pencils, to all practices and to the competition. 

·      Students solve practice problems from prior tests at each practice and for NEMO homework.

·      At prior competitions, participants received medals based on their team's level of success.

 

Here are a few sample problems:

Please don't worry if you can't solve them by yourself at this time.  

 

If 5% of a number is 12, then 25% of half that number is ________?

 

How many multiples of 7 are between 16 and 131?

 

What is the probability that the results on a roll of two dice will add up to more than nine?  Express your answer as a simplified fraction.

 

Math Olympiad Agreement, for student signature:

I am choosing to become a member of the Maywood Hills Math Olympiad team.  By choosing to do this, I will attend the meetings and do the homework.  I will participate to the best of my ability.  I will be responsible for my actions.  I will represent myself, my family, and my school, with courteous behavior.  I will put forth my best effort to work cooperatively with others in a respectful manner.  I will put forth effort in my participation and not interfere with the work of others.

 

Please print out the PDF Permission Form and sign and return to Mr. Pierce.

We will try to answer as many potential questions about the current year's Math Olympiad as possible in this section.  If you have a question that we have not answered, you can contact Mr. Pierce at lpierce@nsd.org.

• Q&A Day, Monday December 2nd:  A chance to ask questions in person.  At 30 minute recess time in the Library Annex.
• 5th Grade first practice, Tuesday December 3rd. 3:30 to 4:30. Library Annex.
• 4th Grade first practice, Wednesday December 4th.  2:00 to 3:00.  Library Annex
• 5th Grade meets every Tuesday/Thursday after school for 1 hour in the Library Annex.
• 4th Grade meets every Wednesday/Friday after school for 1 hour in the Library Annex.

If you are looking for the permission form it is the second page of this PDF.  PDF Permission Form