Think back to your middle school self. If you have a kid who just went through middle school, compare your diverse experiences. Would you sign up to represent your school playing rugby or chess? What about volleyball or maths? Personally, I believe I would've dominated in volleyball and maths. In Northshore Auckland, students are given the opportunity to represent their intermediate school (whether Year 7 or 8) when it comes to extracurriculars. Schools do have their own clubs and teams, but Zone Days allow students to try out sports or activities for a day instead of having to commit an entire season, although there is the option.
Zone Days
Term 1: Tennis, Softball, Swimming, Cricket, Triathalon, Orienteering
Term 2: Football, Rugby, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis
Term 3: Netball, Basketball, Cross Country, Rugby League, Gymnastics, Volleyball
Term 4: Formal Dance, Kiwikick, Badmitton, Golf, League Tag, Top Team, Athletics, Yachting
Each of these 'Zone Days' includes one boys and one girls date and location. If a student is interested in a certain activity, they 1) prepay $5 for bussing and supervision, 2) sign a release, 3) participate in practices, and 4) compete for the gold! The students meet at school and take the bus to the designated location for the Zone Day. While I haven't participated in any Zone Days, I had the honor of working with our Mathex team.
Mathex Quiz
Similarly, the students prepaid to compete in a mathematics competition. The students for this activity were selected by maths test scores and ability levels, different than typical Zone Days. So, last Thursday, I attend the ~ 2018 Mathex Quiz ~
The 8 teams made up four teams of four genius Year 7's and four teams of genius Year 8's. To practice, the students reviewed previous test questions:
Somehow not too intimidated by the practice questions, the students were confident and worked very diligently at the Mathex Quiz 2018.
We arrived at Northcross Intermediate and were greeted by the Deputy Principal, the behind-the-scenes of Mathex.
Next, the teachers and "markers" (that's me) went to the arena where the tables were set up and name tags laid out.
At this point, I still had no idea what I was doing or how this was going down. My mentor teaching was right next to me and she attempted to explain everything quick before the next lady started talking.
Thankfully, it was quite simple:
The students entered the arena and, together, everyone practiced their routine: Students: the designated runner would go touch the back wall, hand their answer to the marker (me), and then return to their table to work on the next question. Teachers/Markers: we were assigned two teams each (i.e. Murray's Bay 2 & Northcross 3) would nod or shake our head, whether their answer was correct or not.
Once the team solved the question, the markers would say "yes" and then record 5 points for the question, tallying the points up as we went along.
On the other hand, if the team didn't get it right, the marker would reply "no" and the designated runner would either run back to their table or "pass" receiving no points for that question.
The first teams to reach 100 points (20 questions @5 points each) were rewarded with Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals for each the Year 7's and then again for the Year 8's.
This is a timed competition as the teams are only given 30 minutes to complete the 20 questions.
By the time the first round (Year 7's) was over, I was hungry and exhausted, and I wasn't the one running or computing! The awards ceremony for Year 7 came around and my school's Year 7 team placed second!!! Proud didn't even begin to explain this feeling. These geniuses might be too shy to show it in class, but evidently have some intelligent brains.
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