Transcript
It is very important that your child masters their multiplication/division facts this year. Fluency helps throughout all areas of math and will definitely make your child’s math experience a much easier one! Almost everything we do in math this year and for the rest of their school career relates to math facts. The more they know, the better! We will be working on mastery up to the 12’s.
How often should they practice?
**TIP: Keep a set of flash cards in the car for practice on the way to the store, soccer practice, etc.
What do we use to help them? Flashcards (can be found at Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar Store) Triangle flashcards (sometimes at these stores but more likely at a teacher store or you can order them online) Triangle flashcards help them master both multiplication and division. Games (see some ideas on the back) Apps (on the back) Multiples Songs –The kids will be learning these over the next couple of weeks. Learning multiples will help speed up the memorization process and it’s a great tool to have when we start working with fractions. Have them sing them to you!
How will we know if they are mastering them? Beginning next week we will be giving weekly multiplication fact quizzes. These quizzes are leveled and begin with easier facts and gradually move up. There are 50 problems and they will have 2 minutes to complete them. A grade of 90 or above will advance them to the next level. Tests will come home each week so you can see if they are moving up levels. These quizzes are also a great way to study specific facts rather than a whole set at once. These tests will not be added to the grade book.
Math Fluency Games Math Fact Memory Materials: 16 to 24 cards. Put math fact on a card and a correlating answer on another card(For example 3x5 on one card, 15 on another card). Include as many fact/answer matches as you’d like. Students work in pairs and spread cards face down on a desk or table. Players take turns choosing 2 cards. If the cards go together, the player keeps the cards and gets another turn. If the cards do not match, the player returns them to the same spot on the desk and his turn is over. The player with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner. Multiplication War Materials: one deck of playing cards per pair- deck should include ace (1) through 9 cards in all suits. The card game is played like the traditional game of War. Cards are equally divided between partners. Each player pulls a card from his stack. The first player to correctly say the produce (or sum) gets to keep both cards. Players then each pull another card from their decks and continue. You may keep a multiplication or addition chart face down to check answers. Play continues until one player has won all of the cards. You may also include face cards and assign them a number (Jack-10, Queen- 11, King-12, Ace- 1). Variation: Set time limit.
Multiplication Apps to Download: Math Slide: Multiplication & Division (Addition & subtraction is good one too!) Sushi Monster Math Duel Addition and Multiplication Number Bubbles Math Racer 3.0 4 Dice Math Fight
Please let us know if you come across any other games or apps that your child likes. We will add it to our list on our website.
