Some facts about math facts...

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many of the students that I see is learning their math facts. There are two things that we talk about when it comes to math facts. Speed (how quickly they know the fact) and Accuracy (how accurate they are). Did you know that a student is considered to have mastered a fact if they can give the correct response within 3 seconds? This is ideal and what we strive for…but I am particularly concerned about a student's accuracy. I would rather the student take more time, but get the fact correct then to blurt out an incorrect fact quickly. As you know, each year students are expected to build upon their fact knowledge. The following is the expectation at the end of each grade level:

Kindergarten: addition/subtraction of all 0-5 facts

1st grade: addition/subtraction of all 0-10 facts

2nd grade: addition/subtraction of all 0-20 facts

3rd grade: multiplication/division of all 0-10 facts

4th grade: multiplication/division of all 0-12 facts

During our group time, we typically spend the majority of our time working on a math concept and then end the session working on facts. I try to give them different strategies for figuring out their facts and to help them internalize the facts. We also play games like "I have..who has…" or "Around the world".  These are fun ways for the students to work on facts that are troubling them. It is key that your child practice at home. Every student that I work with has been set up on xtramath.org either by their classroom teacher or by myself. This is a great way to practice at home using the computer and working at their level. It is also an alternative way to practice than the traditional flash card way. Whether your child is in the primary grades working on addition and subtraction facts or an intermediate student working on multiplication and division, it is best for students to learn and associate the fact as it fits within its fact family or number bond. For example: 

7+6=13      6+7=13
13-7=6     13-6=7

It is best not to overload your child with too many facts at one time. It is better to have them focus and work on 1-2 facts that are giving them difficulty and then to move on to a new fact once they seem to have grasped the first ones.

Even though it can be frustrating for everyone, staying positive and celebrating your child's success are so important!!!

This week I will be progress monitoring the students. You will be receiving progress reports from me regarding how your child has been doing at the end of January. 

Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season and thank you for all you do at home!!!