Parents,
Students are continuing to show daily growth with their math facts. Memorizing math facts is an essential skill that will pay big dividends as we learn different topics in math this year. At this point, I wanted to answer some questions you may have and give some tips to help your child learn their facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
When do these need to be mastered?
Addition and subtraction facts need to be mastered by the end of first quarter, but will be needed even sooner as we will begin addition and subtraction of greater number starting next week. Multiplication needs to be mastered by the end of second quarter, and division by the end of third quarter.
What happens if my child does not know these facts by this time?
I will send home packets of facts each week that will need to be completed and signed by a parent. I will begin sending these home at midterm (next week) for those who have not mastered addition and near the end of the quarter for those who have not mastered subtraction.
How can I find out where my child is on their fact mastery?
Log in with your child's AR username and password using Home Connect. Click the Math tab and then Math Fact in a Flash.
What is the expectation for speed and accuracy of the facts?
The expectation for mastery is 40 out of 40 facts in 2 minutes using Math Facts in a Flash. This is the same pace as 100 facts in 5 minutes if you are using one of the attached fact sheets.
How will Math Facts in a Flash be used?
Students will move through levels of facts sequentially starting at addition of 0's and 1's all the way up to 2 levels of review of all addition facts. Then the same process follows for learning subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. After division is mastered, students will be challenged memorize enrichment levels such as multiplication facts up to 12's, squares, fraction to decimal conversions, and more.
Can we use Math Facts in a Flash to practice at home?
Absolutely. Math facts can be practiced at home using using Home Connect. However, a student can only pass levels at school in order to move up levels.
How should I help my child practice?
You have a lot of options:
1. I am still a fan of good old fashioned flash card practice I like them because you can target just the facts your child needs to review. Try this. Start with the whole pack. Show them to your child. Make 2 piles - one for facts your child knows immediately and the other for the ones they don't. Count in your head to three. If they can't answer in that time, supply the answer and then move on to the next card. When you are done, go through the "needs practice" pile again and remove any that your child has now learned. Keep doing this until all the facts are mastered in 3 seconds or less.
2. Have an iPad or iPod or other mobile device? There are tons of free or inexpensive math fact practice apps out there that can be used. Some recommended ones I have used: Times Table Lab, Math Fact Master, Math Showdown, Scootpad, and Math Garden. Avoid fact practice games that are more game than practice.
3. Use the fact sheets attached to this e-mail. Have your child use a timer to complete all or as many as they can. Each day, set a goal for your child to get faster.
4. Does your child like to learn with music? I have some rap style music DVDs that help with facts for multiplication you can borrow - just let me know. You can also try out Flocabulary.com. You can get a free month trial and use it to help learn addition, subtraction, or multiplication facts using really fun rap music.
As always, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
--
Shane Pransky
Whitehouse Primary
4th Grade
