The Knowledgehook Mathalon has inspired students at St. Marguerite d'Youville and St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary Schools to achieve remarkable success through determination and teamwork.
At St. Marguerite d'Youville, Mr. Welsh's Grade 5 class celebrated a milestone as every student earned a Mathalon medal by accumulating 250 stars on Knowledgehook, a digital math platform. Stars are awarded for correctly solving math questions in class and at home. Like a marathon, this achievement requires perseverance, as students worked steadily to meet their goal.
"All the students have shown incredible dedication and teamwork in completing Knowledgehook's Mathalon," said Mr. Welsh. "The focus, problem-solving skills, and perseverance have made this achievement possible for the entire class. Each student proved that with hard work and collaboration, anything is possible. Amazing job, future mathematicians!"
To celebrate the accomplishment, Principal Maria Trotta organized a special lunch with pizza and treats for the class, recognizing their hard work and teamwork. This is the second consecutive year that Mr. Welsh's entire Grade 5 class has completed the Mathalon challenge.
At St. Teresa of Calcutta CES, Knowledgehook Mathalon winners were also celebrated for their outstanding efforts. Pictured with Principal Jeff Zwolak and teacher Mr. Gillen are Gabriel Abejon, Quinn Reddicliffe, Mia Reddicliffe, Andrew Abram, and Rahaf Hoka, who earned their Mathalon medals through consistent effort and a love of learning.
"We are hooked on knowledge!" said Principal Zwolak, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding the program.
Knowledgehook has proven to be an invaluable tool for educators, sparking curiosity and engagement while reinforcing essential math concepts. "Knowledgehook is an excellent springboard for class engagement, sparking curiosity and getting minds focused on the Math lesson of the day," said Mr. Welsh. "By assigning specific Missions, Knowledgehook helps redirect and refocus the class toward the math concepts you want them to understand."
Welsh added, "Knowledgehook Mathalon is a fun and engaging way to incorporate math learning while building essential teamwork skills in the classroom. It not only strengthens students' math concepts but also makes learning an interactive and enjoyable experience for everyone!"
The success of students across HWCDSB elementary schools reflects the dedication of teachers, administrators, and students in fostering a love of learning through innovative tools like Knowledgehook. Assistant Superintendent Daly described it as a testament to collaboration and perseverance, noting, "It is just awesome that the students cooperated and helped each other achieve this accomplishment - it required teamwork and perseverance. There is a very strong math-positive attitude in the class. This is just the starting point, not the finish line."