Get your "FACTS" in gear.

http://donnayoung.org/f13/math-f/chart/lgmulti.pdf

I had one of those moments recently with my third grader.  He does not appear to have his facts memorized.  Please note that he has completed daily lessons with Facts First.  This child should know his math facts.  We were all tired of having him ask us what they are. 

So this is my plan.  I am sharing it in case you are having one of those moments with your child.

1.  I explained to him that it was the end of the line.  We were no longer going to tell him the answers to math facts.  He was old enough to know them.  He was going to memorize them or he would be looking them up on this sheet of paper from then on.  I handed him a multiplication chart.

Please note: this speech is more for you than your child. I personally felt empowered. 

2. I told him he would be now be taking timed tests every few days.  I printed out several times tables ahead of time, and put them in a folder.  That way I would be able to present them on a moment's notice.  Here is another set, and an online multiplication speed test as well. 


I am copying the following from About.com for you.

The best way to learn the multiplication facts is by one fact family at a time. Always begin with the 2's, the 5's and the 10's, when these are mastered, move to the squares (sometimes referred to as the doubles) which are 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6. Then move to the remaining fact familes, 4,6,7, 8 and 9. Never start with random facts. Do not provide random fact sheets until there is a strong comfort level with the fact families. Practicing random facts rarely leads to permanent learning. Stick with the above strategy and students are more apt to learn the multiplication facts.


 3.  I printed out another multiplication chart that we would color in when we mastered each fact family.

I realize this is not rocket science and you probably already know this.  But, I just wanted to share my renewal plan with you.   I will keep you updated on how it goes.  So far just having the table printed out has made me much less aggravated,and has put the responsibility back on him.   I am hoping he will tire of looking them up on the chart and begin to memorize them. 

Enjoy your week,
~Becky

Math Programs I have Loved. . . . ADD Math

Another resource I enjoy using is ADD Math.  (Arithmetic Developed Daily. )  It is a program that you complete about three times per week.  It starts in grade 1 and continues through grade 5.  The idea is to review all math skills during the year.  Each day you complete a few math problems, an oral problem, and a word problem. One day you will do problems with  money, another day measurement, and maybe another day probability.   You review all math strands throughout the year in a more consistent way.    It helps our kids to retain their math skills, and become better problem solvers.

ADD math teaches a specific method for solving  word problems.  For each problem you write out the information, second you decide which operation to use, third you write a math sentence with a box in place of the answer, and lastly you write the answer.  It is a nice way to systematically teach children how to solve word problems. You also are introducing the concept of solving for an unknown.

GROW publications also has daily reinforcers for science, social studies,writing and reading.  I find ADD math a great way to supplement my math program.

Math Programs I have Loved. . . . Math U See

    Most people seem to know about Math U See.  It has worked well for my son who is on the Autism Spectrum.  It has really helped him to learn math.  He is doing much better as he progresses through the program.  It is not a program that I would have personally liked as a child, but it seems to be a good fit for many students.

    The positives I see in the program are as follows.  First, you get DVD's which have Steve Demmy the founder demonstrating the lesson.  If you are not comfortable teaching math or just want your child to see someone else demonstrating a lesson, this is a powerful tool.  He has a lovely voice and we refer to him as the "happy man" at our house.  He has a great math attitude.  Second there are a limited number of problems on each page.  If you have a student who is overwhelmed by math this is great.   There are also many pages of practice and review in each lesson.  You can review them all or stop when your student has the concept.  A positive for some is that he shows many different ways to solve a problem.  He is really trying to accommodate different learning styles. 

    In my opinion if you think this is a program you would like to try, I would borrow this program first.  It is a commitment to a whole different way of thinking.  Which is good, but you want to know what you are getting into.

Happy Problem solving!!

Becky

Math Programs I have Loved. . . . Miquon Math

A few months ago I found a set of Miquon Math books at a thrift store.  It was quite a moment in thrifting history.  Now to tell you why I was so excited and why I like this math program.

I was first introduced to this program through Sonlight.  They recommended using it.  I was intrigued and bought one for my son.  I love this math program, because it is how I want to think, and want my kids to think.  It is the type of program where you  experiment and try to several different ways to do 3 x 3.  (3+3+3; 3x3; 27 x 1/3) You use manipulatives, find patterns,  and you experiment with math.  I enjoy working through the pages with my kids.

Their site describes the program in the following way:

Based on the belief that mathematical insight grows out of observation, investigation, and the discovery of patterns, the six workbooks of the Miquon Math Materials lead children through an exploration of mathematical relationships. Concrete models are not supplements to the written work but instead are the basis of it and are used continuously.

It just speaks to me.  But, it has not spoken to all my children.  My daughter who uses Teaching Texbtooks was annoyed by all the experimenting.  She wants to complete her math and be finished.  My son on the Autism Spectrum did not really like it either.  Just so you know.

It is a low cost program.  You could start with one book to see if it would work for your kids.  This part of the series is for grades 1-3(1-4).  They also have a Keys to Program.  More about that another time.  They have some downloadable forms on the web site you can check out as well.

Just some more math thoughts.  Have a great day!

~Becky~

Math Programs I have Loved. . . . Teaching Textbooks.

I have a confession to make.  I love math programs.  I am constantly in search of the perfect math program.  Not as much fun mind as the search for the perfect purse, but still pretty fun.  I am always hoping that one of these days I will turn up the math program that will meet all the needs of all my children and be life changing.  At this point, I have not.  I actually have five different math programs going in my house.  So over the next few months I am going to share "Math Programs I have Loved."


I wanted to start with Teaching Textbooks.  Teaching Textbooks is a fairly new addition to our household math programs.  I bought it out of sheer desperation for my daughter.  Let me explain, I love math, and  I come from a long line of women who are very good at math.  My grandmother was playing competitive bridge up to the age of 94 while doing all the math in her head.  I pride myself on being able to figure any percent off in a matter of minutes.  My daughter is not like that.  She gets frustrated and does not have the love of numbers that I possess.  We both cried during math instruction.  I needed something that was positive for her, rewarded progress, and would help teach her math independently.  Teaching Textbooks did this for us. 


To begin their program they recommend you take a placement test.   I highly agree.  It was a very accurate in placing my daughter in the correct level.  You can also test the program online which we did.  That also confirmed it would be a good fit  for  my daughter.   They promised that I could return it within 30 days if I did not like it and that sealed the bargain.  I bought it at the Midwest Homeschool Convention.

When I talked to the Teaching Textbook staff at the convention they told me they do not like to talk about grades, but levels in their program.  Remember, I was desperate and would have called it whatever they wanted me to.  I would say the program is probably behind other programs at the same level, but, I do not think that is a big deal.  If your child switches into it and is doing harder work, the placement test will take them up level.

We bought the CD's and the textbook.  I am glad we have the textbook, because she shows her work in the book.  It is also nice to have a hard copy of what she is doing.  Plus,  I think it is good practice to be able to do math on paper.  Most high stakes tests are still using paper.  

For my daughter this is a fabulous fit. She is happy, there is no more crying, and we are better friends.   It has been worth every penny I paid for it.  We are on our second level.

If you have a child who is gifted at math and runs through things quickly.  Then I am not sure if this is the program for you. I think the repetition and spiral topics in the curriculum would probably be annoying to them. 

Hope this helps,
Becky