Contact: Paige Watson

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State students and Sudduth Elementary first graders recently shared in the joys of learning together during a special Math Day program that provided a learning experience for all.

Sixty elementary and special education majors in the university’s College of Education assisted in the inaugural event at Sudduth, part of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District.

MSU students in a “Structure of the Real Number System” course, taught by instructor Kim Walters, provided hands-on learning activities for first-grade classes.

In addition to serving as temporary class leaders, they brought along materials and instructions for two mathematics education-based games—“Off Grid” and “Clear the Board”—that were given to the students for continued use throughout the year.

Beyond the enjoyment of interactions with the young learners, sophomore Kathryn A. Stringer said she appreciated how this experience is helping her prepare for a classroom career.

“The games we’re playing go hand in hand with what we’re learning to teach, so it’s exciting to see it all come together so well,” added the elementary education major from Starkville.

Sudduth teacher Christina Reynolds complimented Stringer and the others while emphasizing how her students also benefitted from the extra attention.

“My classroom loves the MSU students, and they enjoy having the hands-on learning experiences that go with the addition and subtraction that we’re learning right now,” Reynolds said.

She and other Sudduth teachers agreed that the visiting MSU students helped make the first graders feel a bit like “rock stars” as they learned through game playing and related activities tailored specifically for them. 

For complete details on majors in the College of Education, visit www.educ.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.