Cordley School fifth-graders compete in ‘Math Olympics’ to learn measurement

Dallas Conway, 10, wasn’t exactly happy with his performance.

“I just think I can grab more and throw further,” he said.

Laura Falkenstien, left, 10, measures the length of her cotton-ball shot put as Willie Johnson, 10, records his throw.

Conway and other fifth-graders at Cordley School, 1837 Vt., participated Monday in “Math Olympics.” Students competed in such events as cotton ball shot put, drinking straw javelin and paper plate discus.

But it wasn’t all fun and games.

Students were learning how to estimate distances using standard and metric measurement.

The math course was the final lesson of a series about the Olympics, which fifth-grade classes at Cordley have been following since school started.

“With the Olympics starting as we were starting school, it seemed natural to incorporate it into lessons,” said fifth-grade teacher Heather Watgen.

Last week, students paired up to research a country involved in the Summer Games and will give a PowerPoint computer presentation to educate their classmates on what they learned. They also compared the ancient Olympics to the modern games.

Mikkayla Kunkle, 10, said she’s enjoyed learning about the games.

“It’s really cool,” she said. “I like the Olympics and I do gymnastics so I want to be in the Olympics some day.”

In terms of estimating distances during Monday’s events, Mikkayla said she wasn’t doing so well. But she was getting a better idea of distance.

“That will probably help,” Mikkayla said.

Watgen said students closest in their estimates would be awarded gold, silver and copper medals at school today.