Spotlight on Math Facts
My goal for third graders is to answer basic math facts instantly without counting on their fingers. This automaticity is imperative for students to have continued success in math, especially as concepts become more difficult. These facts are also useful for the various mental strategies the Everyday Math program teaches.
Third grade math standards require students to be proficient in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. My goal will be for students to have addition and subtraction facts mastered by Christmas break and then focus on multiplication and division for the remainder of the year. I’m aware that a few may have started mastering their multiplication facts last year. However, I will test all of the students at the beginning of the year beginning with Level A Addition to see if your child can answer 30 facts in 2 minutes. Your child will then be given the level of flash cards I feel they are ready for. We will also take some class time to practice as well. Each child will progress through the various levels at their own pace without comparing themselves with other classmates. When your child receives their first set of flash cards, have her/him cut them apart, and write the answers on the back in pencil.
I will give a fact-timed test at least once a week (something they did not do last year) unless your child tells me she/he is ready before then. See below the levels and time limits your child will have for each level and the order in which he/she will learn her/his facts. The students will not have time to count on their fingers in the allotted time given. We will be reviewing many tricks that your child learned last year to help with memorization of facts. I will not send home your child’s fact test until he/she has mastered it. I do not give out any practice sheets. However, you can make them up on your own or find them online. If you find any good sites, please share them with other parents. Feel free to send me any good sites you find.
Practicing the Facts: Keep the cut up flash cards in a plastic bag so she/he can carry them around to study while you’re cooking dinner, riding in a car, right before bedtime, a few minutes before school, during commercials, etc. Also, take a few minutes to flash the cards to your child to see how he/she is doing. It will make a huge difference in your child mastering his/her facts more quickly. Some parents even give small rewards after mastery. The students will periodically write in their assignment books, “Study F.C.” or “Fact test tomorrow.” However, your child should be practicing 5 minutes each night and not wait until the night before the test to study.
The levels are as follows:
Addition Level A, sums 0-10 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Addition Level B, sums 11-18 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Subtraction Level A, minuends 0-10 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Subtraction Level B, minuends 11-18 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 2s and 3s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 4s and 5s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 6s and 7s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 8s and 9s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Division – Work at own speed.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
My goal for third graders is to answer basic math facts instantly without counting on their fingers. This automaticity is imperative for students to have continued success in math, especially as concepts become more difficult. These facts are also useful for the various mental strategies the Everyday Math program teaches.
Third grade math standards require students to be proficient in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. My goal will be for students to have addition and subtraction facts mastered by Christmas break and then focus on multiplication and division for the remainder of the year. I’m aware that a few may have started mastering their multiplication facts last year. However, I will test all of the students at the beginning of the year beginning with Level A Addition to see if your child can answer 30 facts in 2 minutes. Your child will then be given the level of flash cards I feel they are ready for. We will also take some class time to practice as well. Each child will progress through the various levels at their own pace without comparing themselves with other classmates. When your child receives their first set of flash cards, have her/him cut them apart, and write the answers on the back in pencil.
I will give a fact-timed test at least once a week (something they did not do last year) unless your child tells me she/he is ready before then. See below the levels and time limits your child will have for each level and the order in which he/she will learn her/his facts. The students will not have time to count on their fingers in the allotted time given. We will be reviewing many tricks that your child learned last year to help with memorization of facts. I will not send home your child’s fact test until he/she has mastered it. I do not give out any practice sheets. However, you can make them up on your own or find them online. If you find any good sites, please share them with other parents. Feel free to send me any good sites you find.
Practicing the Facts: Keep the cut up flash cards in a plastic bag so she/he can carry them around to study while you’re cooking dinner, riding in a car, right before bedtime, a few minutes before school, during commercials, etc. Also, take a few minutes to flash the cards to your child to see how he/she is doing. It will make a huge difference in your child mastering his/her facts more quickly. Some parents even give small rewards after mastery. The students will periodically write in their assignment books, “Study F.C.” or “Fact test tomorrow.” However, your child should be practicing 5 minutes each night and not wait until the night before the test to study.
The levels are as follows:
Addition Level A, sums 0-10 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Addition Level B, sums 11-18 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Subtraction Level A, minuends 0-10 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Subtraction Level B, minuends 11-18 (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 2s and 3s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 4s and 5s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 6s and 7s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Multiplication – 8s and 9s (30 problems) 2 minutes
Division – Work at own speed.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!