Math Facts

October 28, 2015

Math Families,

Solid fluency with math facts frees a child to explore grade 6 mathematics in deeper, more meaningful ways; a lack of fluency hinders a child’s ability to navigate new material and presents as a barrier when computing mentally. In that spirit, your child was recently assessed on their 2-12 multiplication math facts. Please see the attached graph for their individualized results with each multiplication fact family—your child should be able to interpret the graph for you if need be.

The first assessment—which we took last week—will serve as the baseline, or starting point, for which your child’s growth will be measured. They will retake this assessment in December and again at a later point in the year. When all is said and done, your child should have shown steady growth; hopefully their growth will be reflected by the graph. Mastery is important, but even mastery is reached through steady, incremental growth.

Looking for a way to support your child’s fact fluency? I’d encourage you to look at their gaps, review the areas of weakness, and set a routine at home where they can practice any identified fact family from time-to-time (it does not need to be done for more than 3-5 minutes a night—consistent practice matters most). We will be encouraging this from our end, so an additional push from home should make for a fruitful retest come December. Again, please remember that the goal is to show growth—help me to keep that as the focus.

Please note that there are a plethora of resources available for your child to tap into when practicing their facts. To name a few:

ü  Ace Multiplication Matrix HD (iPad)

ü  Math Cards (iPad)

ü  Math Flash Cards (iPad)

ü  Times Tables Quiz (iPad)

ü  Math Facts, Bundle (iPad)

ü  http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/quick-flash-ii

ü  http://www.mathplayground.com/multiplication01.html

A simple search in Google or the App Store will unearth a ton of options. Or, better yet, you can go ‘old school’ and simply make some flashcards with them and review the deck each night.

Thanks for taking the time to review their scores with them, and for providing them with the extra support that they need to build fact fluency. Please let me know if you have any specific questions or suggestions.

Be well,

Derek

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week

October 26 – 30

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug and healthy life-styles events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.

Village Elementary will celebrate Red Ribbon week in the following way.

 Monday, October 26^th: “Sock it to Drugs” Crazy sock day: Wear crazy socks!

Tuesday, October 27^th: "Treat your body right” "Smarties treat their body right":  Wear comfy clothes!

Wednesday, October 28^th :  "Water Bottle Wednesday"  Drink water and keep your body healthy and hydrated!

Thursday, October 29^th : “Rock Red Gear”  Wear red to show your support!

Friday, October 30^th : "Say no to Torn Open Candy Wrappers” Follow classroom guidelines for Halloween attire!

Talking About a Test

Families,

As you will notice, your child has completed their first official math "test" of the year. Although we have had several quizzes, a test is more culminating in nature and it provides us with a comprehensive snapshot of how much they have grown and whether or not they have mastered the standards for this unit of study.

When your child gets home, it's easy to look at a high grade, or a lower one, and quickly share your thoughts and feelings about the grade. Although positive reinforcement is crucial and will mean a lot to your child, I would encourage you to make the ultimate goal be for your child to become a self-assured, driven learner and thinker. As the adults in their life, it's important that we all center our conversations on the process that they took to get their score versus the end product--the score they earned.

What is meant by that? What might this look like? Simply look at the assessment with your child and ask them about their effort. What was hardest for them? What was easiest? At what point in the unit did they have to work the hardest? What did they specifically do that gave them success? No matter what the score, the effort and work behaviors that your student exhibited throughout the entire unit should be the focal point. In doing so, we are setting the priorities for them and sending the message that effort trumps all.

Good work habits and consistent effort=sustainable success. In the classroom, we've been hitting home the message that a growth mindset matters, and the way we praise or discuss grades with our children leaves a lasting impression on them as learners. Basically, they buy into what we focus on and it directly impacts the mindset that they adopt.

Please join me in having thoughtful conversations about the work behaviors they demonstrated that contributed to their end grade. And, as always, don't hesitate if you have any questions.

Be well,

Derek
Math Teacher

Important Dates

Families,

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at Open House. Please take a look at the dates below and let us know if you have any questions.

Be well,

Christina and Derek