Memorizing Math Facts! (Grades K - 4)

Research shows that using a multi-modal learning approach helps to make things go into our long term memory. In education we use the 5 senses for a multi-model learning approach: hear, see, smell, taste, and touch. Learning our math facts is extremely important. Math is a scaffolding subject, as it builds every year on the previous year. A child that doesn’t know all of the math facts is at a disadvantage as the curriculum increases in difficulty.

Here are some ideas of how you can make learning the math facts (whether addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) multi-modal and fun!

1) Have your child write the facts on a rug, carpet, or felt with their finger. Say each fact (including the answer) aloud while writing it.

2) Have your child write the facts on sandpaper, bulletin board, or shaving cream with their finger. Say each fact (including the answer) aloud while writing it.

3) Put gel in a ziplock bag and have your child trace the facts on the bag with their finger while saying each aloud.

4) Sing the facts to the tune of a familiar song: “Twinkle, Twinkle”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, etc.

5) Create movements to the facts. Maybe for the fives tables have your child do jumping jacks or hop on one foot.

6) Make your own flash cards. Then use the cards to play games like War, Go Fish, or Memory.

7) Use online websites that have math games. Many of the websites are free. Just go to Google. Be creative! Brainstorm ideas with your child for ways to memorize the facts.

It is so important for everyone to learn their facts but we can make it fun too. Good luck!

Written by Amy Kindl, Former South Special Education Teacher

MORE MATH FACTS FUN

It’s also important to keep your child’s math skills sharp.

Here are fun, and engaging ways to practice math skills.

Math Facts Practice:  Fluency with math facts is a key math skill. Try these fun and engaging ways for children to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

(1) Create movements to the facts.

(2) Have your child do jumping jacks or hop on one foot.

(3)  Make your own flash cards.  Then use the cards to play games like War, Go Fish, or Memory.

(4) Have your child write the facts on sandpaper, bulletin board, or shaving cream with their finger.  Say each fact (including the answer) aloud while writing it.

5 Fun Activities for Number Recognition

 (Grades K – 1)

Here are some fun activities for your child to practice and solidify number recognition:

1. Rock, Paper, Number!: You play this just like “Rock, Papers, Scissors!” You need two players, paper, and a pencil. You say “Rock, Paper, Number” and each player holds up as many fingers as they want. Then, you count all the fingers and point to the correct number written on the sheet of paper.

2. Ladybug Math: Draw 10 ladybugs on a piece of paper and number them 1-10. Using blueberries or chocolate chips, put the correct number into each ladybug. Then, eat them!

3. Block Towers: Build towers of blocks on a number mat with the correct number of blocks on each number.

4. Duplo Number Tunnel: Make tunnels using Duplo Blocks, and put numbers above the tunnels. Roll a ball into the tunnel and identify the number.

5. Parking Lot Numbers: Write numbers and parking spaces on a piece of paper. Say a number and drive the car to the parking space with that number.

Fun Facts by Holly White, Special Education Teacher

The C.U.B.E.S.  Method: A Problem Solving Strategy           

(Grades 2 – 4)

Math word problems can be difficult for students to solve. Why? With so many words and numbers, it may be hard for students to figure out the strategies needed to solve a problem. But there is hope! Using problem solving strategies provide students with an organized way to be successful with word problems. An effective word problem strategy that we teach students is called the C.U.B.E.S. Strategy. The C.U.B.E.S. Strategy helps students focus their attention on the important information and get to the heart of what the problem really is asking. This is a universal strategy that can be used to solve any math word problem.

C.U.B.E.S. is an acronym that stands for the following word problem solving steps:

• Circle the numbers
• Underline important words
• Box the question
• Eliminate unnecessary information
• Solve and check 

See the Resource section accessed from the STAR's home page for an attachement of a C.U.B.E.S. Strategy Bookmark!

Kristen Graveline, Special Education Teacher