See ideas for concrete math facts here Then Move to Representational and Abstract Math Facts Work on sets of numbers until they have it mastered. Start with the math fact family your child doesn’t know. You don’t need to go back to the very beginning. These are the very methods that are going to help your child master her math facts. When you think of concrete math, think items that you can feel in your hands, like playdough, stickers, and blocks. The repetition is delicious to their brain. Every practice problem is using these facts. These are a set of four math facts they are working on mastering. Play games with these numbers, use them in homework assignments, baking, any way you can make them useful is a must!įor example, all of our students have what we call “Focus Facts”. Instead of doing all of the 7’s, start with just 7 x 1 to 7 x 4. To combat this, narrow the facts you work with. Rote memorization triggers the giant “USELESS” flag to these students. Students that have dyslexia and dyscalculia are particularly sensitive to things having meaning. How to Help Kids Master Math Facts Once and For All Give Facts Meaning and Use Had I started with working in the kitchen beside him and explicitly walking him through the concrete experience of what creaming sugar and butter was like, we would have had better results. He didn’t know what creaming the butter and sugars meant. I realized he didn’t understand the directions. I came into the kitchen to find a large bowl full of butter colored powder. I handed him the recipe and went about my business.Ī half hour later, he came to me and said he had done something wrong but couldn’t figure out what it was. He’s had some experience helping me with baking, but hasn’t ever done it on his own. My son recently wanted to make a double batch of cookies to share with our neighbors. Learning With Flashcards Is Like Baking Without Any Experience They start with the abstract instead of building up to it. My eyes darted over to the parent that asked the question, her face said it all. I shifted from leaning against the bookcase and cringed a little as I listened to her suggestions: Someone blurted out the obvious question, “What can we do to help them with memorizing their math facts?” Without the ability to recall math facts quickly, your child will have a tough time making room for new information. They are the very foundation for all mathematical learning. This teacher knows that getting math facts solidified in your head is like learning your alphabet letters. More than half of her students have NOT mastered their math facts. Next, she mentioned a common problem most middle school teachers face, math fact memorization. “Where are the textbooks? Why doesn’t anyone use textbooks anymore?” Hands shot up into the air with rapid fire questions about their struggling child. As I scanned the room, I could see looks of concern on parent’s faces as they squirmed in their seat waiting for her to pause for questions. In the seventh grade classroom, parents filled every seat and stood along the walls too as I listened to my son’s teacher explain classroom policies.
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