Math Facts Clarification/Expectations
Hello Parents,
Ms. Jones and I would like to take some time and give you some more details about the math facts program we are using. There have been many questions and some misconceptions. We apologize for not communicating more about this sooner.
The program we are using is called Multiplication in 7 Days. It was originally designed to have the students learn 36 basic facts over a 7 day period, but we have chosen to complete the program over 7 weeks. The program eliminates the zeros, ones and tens facts as those are simple once the rules are learned. It also removes any facts where the factors are reversed (reciprocal facts). Without those, it leaves 36 facts that the students need to gain mastery in. If they learn them with automaticity (instant recall) they'll naturally learn the reciprocal facts and the related division facts.
Research shows that learning math facts with automaticity allows the student to focus on the higher order skills involved in word problems and real life application. In addition it will remove the anxiety associated with taking extra time to work out the answers of computation.
We understand that several of you are concerned about the time limit. Research shows that if we allow them unlimited time, they will become proficient in counting on their fingers or skip counting, not in memorizing the actual facts. We realize that this can be stressful for some, which is why we have implemented the retake to mastery process. This is not intended to be a "gotcha." We want your children to each end up with a 100 on each quiz. Here are some things we think you may not be aware of:
*The time limit is 4 minutes.
*Students can retest on any quiz as many times as necessary to show mastery.
*We will continue to enter the highest grade in the computer, replacing the lower one.
*Accommodations will be available on an individual basis, as needed
*5 informal grades will be given for the last 5 weeks of the program
*Your child should have brought home a sheet laying out the order and dates for each quiz
After we complete the initial program we will continue to have math facts quizzes to retain knowledge and automaticity. Details to come about a tracking process for facts not retained.
Some useful resources are:
www.multiplication.com<http://www.multiplication.com>
www.sumdog.com<http://www.sumdog.com>
Useful apps:
Math Splat
Math Dual - A Favorite at Mrs. Williams' house - they like to try to beat me:0
TenMarks:
Jam Session
Flashcards
We feel very strongly that if your child puts in the hard work these next 4 weeks, they will benefit greatly as we continue to work on multiplication and division word problems and move into fractions. We want to see all the children succeed with this task and retain their math facts. Our goal is 100% mastery of the single digit multiplication facts from 0 x 0 - 9 x 9.
If you're interested in any of the research out there, feel free to check out the following websites
http://www.k5learning.com/blog/why-do-kids-need-learn-math-facts
http://www.ldonline.org/spearswerling/Developing_Automatic_Recall_of_Addition_and_Subtraction_Facts
Please let us know of any concerns. We have been working closely with administration to ensure that we're meeting the needs of all third grade learning styles. We hope we didn't overwhelm you with information, but we wanted to ensure that you had it all available to you.
Thank you for your continued support and all your efforts at home.
Melissa Williams and Amy Jones
Hello Parents,
Ms. Jones and I would like to take some time and give you some more details about the math facts program we are using. There have been many questions and some misconceptions. We apologize for not communicating more about this sooner.
The program we are using is called Multiplication in 7 Days. It was originally designed to have the students learn 36 basic facts over a 7 day period, but we have chosen to complete the program over 7 weeks. The program eliminates the zeros, ones and tens facts as those are simple once the rules are learned. It also removes any facts where the factors are reversed (reciprocal facts). Without those, it leaves 36 facts that the students need to gain mastery in. If they learn them with automaticity (instant recall) they'll naturally learn the reciprocal facts and the related division facts.
Research shows that learning math facts with automaticity allows the student to focus on the higher order skills involved in word problems and real life application. In addition it will remove the anxiety associated with taking extra time to work out the answers of computation.
We understand that several of you are concerned about the time limit. Research shows that if we allow them unlimited time, they will become proficient in counting on their fingers or skip counting, not in memorizing the actual facts. We realize that this can be stressful for some, which is why we have implemented the retake to mastery process. This is not intended to be a "gotcha." We want your children to each end up with a 100 on each quiz. Here are some things we think you may not be aware of:
*The time limit is 4 minutes.
*Students can retest on any quiz as many times as necessary to show mastery.
*We will continue to enter the highest grade in the computer, replacing the lower one.
*Accommodations will be available on an individual basis, as needed
*5 informal grades will be given for the last 5 weeks of the program
*Your child should have brought home a sheet laying out the order and dates for each quiz
After we complete the initial program we will continue to have math facts quizzes to retain knowledge and automaticity. Details to come about a tracking process for facts not retained.
Some useful resources are:
www.multiplication.com<http://www.multiplication.com>
www.sumdog.com<http://www.sumdog.com>
Useful apps:
Math Splat
Math Dual - A Favorite at Mrs. Williams' house - they like to try to beat me:0
TenMarks:
Jam Session
Flashcards
We feel very strongly that if your child puts in the hard work these next 4 weeks, they will benefit greatly as we continue to work on multiplication and division word problems and move into fractions. We want to see all the children succeed with this task and retain their math facts. Our goal is 100% mastery of the single digit multiplication facts from 0 x 0 - 9 x 9.
If you're interested in any of the research out there, feel free to check out the following websites
http://www.k5learning.com/blog/why-do-kids-need-learn-math-facts
http://www.ldonline.org/spearswerling/Developing_Automatic_Recall_of_Addition_and_Subtraction_Facts
Please let us know of any concerns. We have been working closely with administration to ensure that we're meeting the needs of all third grade learning styles. We hope we didn't overwhelm you with information, but we wanted to ensure that you had it all available to you.
Thank you for your continued support and all your efforts at home.
Melissa Williams and Amy Jones