Math Club

Lietz Elementary School 2026-2027

What is it?

• After school enrichment program
• Run by parent volunteers
• Free, sponsored by Home and School Club
• Previous years as Math Olympiads
• Meet weekly, 1-hr after school
• For 4th & 5th grade students
• Academic oriented

Current Coach

Winnie Wen

• Second year coaching
• Former scientist (PhD in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, UCSD)
• Three children: 7th, 5th, 1st. The oldest one has participated in the Lietz MOEMS for 2 years and Dartmouth Math Club. The middle one participated last year.
• Also co-leading the HSC Garden program

Class Structure

• Time: Thursday after dismissal
• Location: school library (Makerspace if the library is not available.)
• Regular session:�- 2:45-3:15p (30 mins): Math Challenge�- 3:15-3:20p (5 mins): break

- 3:20-3:50p (30 mins): Math Olympiads

*Conference day (Early dismissal):1:20-1:50 (MC), 1:55-2:25(MOEMS)

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• Contest : (No MC, only for students who are enrolled in MOEMS)
• 11/12, 12/10, 1/21, 2/11, 3/25 (syllabus)
• Files of materials/homeworks will be shared through google drive. Link will be sent before the first session.
• Conference day (Early dismissal):1:20-1:50 (MC), 1:55-2:25(MOEMS)

Changes in 2026-2027 year

• Two sessions and 30 minutes each instead of a single 50 minute session.
• Introducing Math Challenge program for 4th & 5th graders
• MOEMS program is limited to 5th graders and advanced 4th graders.
• 4th Grader who wishes to enroll in Math Olympiads is required to have above grade level math skills such as long multiplication, division, and know how to do addition and subtraction for fractions.
• 2 Options:
• MC only (30 mins, 3:15 dismissal)
• MC+MOEMS (60 mins, 3:50 dismissal)

MOEMS Contest

• Five contests, one each month (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar). Scores are submitted to MOEMS (Please register with full name so we can register your student correctly)
• 5 questions in 30 mins, one question one point. No partial credits.
• Students do not compete against each other, but we do acknowledge top scorers at the end of the year. (Medal, pins, and patches)
• Average elementary participants score 1.6 out of 5 per test. It is normal they can not answer.
• Missed test scores can not be submitted to the official scores.

Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools

Link

Why introducing Math Challenge

• Most 4th graders are not ready for MOEMS. MOEMS is more meant for 5th graders.
• The concepts behind Math Challenge are very close to MOEMS.

MC

MOEMS

https://www.mathinaction.org/lietz-elementary.html

MC

MC

MC

MC

Math Challenge

Link

Math Challenge Tournament

• $26 fee optional
• In spring (April or May)
• Details to be announced by the MC organization after October

How/where/what to sign up?

Option 1: MC only (2:45-3:15p)

• 4th grader or new 5th grader
• MC problem set is released biweekly. Answers will be released after the 2 week duration is done.
• Demonstrating problem solving skills of of each biweekly focus with mostly medium level questions.
• Submit the solution biweekly. (Homework)

Option 2: MC+MOEMS (2:45-3:50)

• 5th grader + advanced 4th grader
• First 30 minutes as regular MC only.
• Second 30 minutes, applying the same problem solving skills of the day to solve harder (MOEMS level) problems
• Homework (1-3 questions weekly)

Registration link: https://forms.gle/V3ochp6VT5S1JQSq6

Homework examples

Tentative syllabus

Goal

• Problem solving using math (as tools)
• Trying to solve a problem that the solution is not very obvious, nor straightforward.
• There are usually AT LEAST two ways to solve these problems.
• Learning new skills and the feeling of “getting it.”

How to Support

• Guide your student to do homework if they need help
• Allow them to have time to think, especially for harder problems (MOEMS)
• Praise a lot when they solve problems on their own.
• Make sure they read enough so they can understand the problem.
• Withdraw them if they are obviously showing no interest.

First competition math book. Do not need to buy, but if you really want to get something this one is good to start with.

Another math puzzle book that all math geeks have one or heard of.

Easier math puzzle book that all math geeks have one or heard of. More kids friendly. I got this for the end-of year prize for MOEMS.

Another Math program that is with more (visual) pattern recognition and less language processing

Reward

• MOEMS official Medal (1), pins(2), and patches(>50%)
• Class awards based on HW performance (New)

Volunteer

• Teaching co-lead (this year and next year)
• Homework grading/recording (MC)
• Parents are welcome to sit in and help
• High School Volunteers are welcome!! (Certificates for volunteering hours can be issued by the school.)

I will contact parents or guardians if a student consistently disrupts the lesson. Mandatory parent attendance during class may be required if the disruptive behavior continues.

Special Thanks

My son

Previous Leads:

Mike Homer� Sean Samenfeld-Specht� Troy Porter

Home and School Club for funding (Where your walkathon money goes)

Questions?

winnie.wen@lietzhsc.com