Homeschool Math Blog

In this video I show several strategies for learning the basic addition and subtraction facts: finding all the possible sums for a certain number; e.g. for 6, these would be 0 + 6, 1 + 5, 2 + 4, and 3 + 3; writing out all the fact families where the sum is a certain number; the 9 "trick"; 9 + 7 is the same as 10 + 6 (9 wants so badly to be 10 so that it "steals" one from 7); doubles and the accompanying addition facts; number rainbows and how to use them to practice subtraction; a structured drill for addition facts. Enjoy! Strategies for Addition and Subtraction Facts - Video

Are timed math tests (drills) necessary and for what purpose? If necessary, how often should facts be tested? Are timed math tests recommended for students who have "math issues." , such as low confidence and slower progress. I simply feel that timed drills are a tool among many, when it comes to learning math facts. Some kids will "thrive" on them, or in other words quickly learn when they are used. Perhaps they like racing against the clock or like the challenge. There exist computer games that are timed that can work very well for drilling facts. Check for example:  Math Magician games has a simple 2-minute countdown, and if you answer 20 questions in that time, you get an award. Some of the games at Sheppard Software don't time you but give you more points the faster you go. That site is actually filled with several types of games just for math facts practice. Yet for other kids timed drills may be counterproductive and end up in tears and frustration...

I thought some of you (those who teach second grade) might enjoy my NUMBER RAINBOWS. The idea is that you connect two numbers with an arc if they add up to the particular number, such as 13. Then, the child can use it as a reference when subtracting from 13 or when doing subtraction drill. You could first drill subtraction facts WITH the rainbow (such as 13 − 4, 13 − 7 etc.) and then without. You would also ask the child to reproduce the rainbow - and color it, of course! These make for quite pretty math facts practice, don't you think! I'm going to add these to my Add & Subtract 2-A book.

Hi Maria - I am really enjoying your workbooks for the kids - I can't wait to get going on fractions. I wanted to ask you do you see value in any of the online math practice programs for drill? I saw that HS Buyers Co-op is offering www.mathscore.com - at a discount and we are trying it out on trial - It's just pretty much basic drill for speed and accuracy. I don't want to waste the $$ on it - if that is not really important to math. Thanks for any feedback. I've personally visited and even reviewed Mathscore. Mathscore is not just about basic drill on addition or multiplication - they have basic word problems, geometry, etc. as well. It is more like a math practice system for any kind of basic problems. Kids do need to learn their facts by memory. So "drill" is not bad in itself. Obviously math instruction should not be only drill. You should just balance it all. Teach concepts, teach why something works, let them practice, and help them master their fac...

Continuing on the same lines as my previous post, what about multiplication facts and drill? Well, the principle is similar: show them first the concept and patterns. Then can come some plain drill. But, I want to share with you a few more detailed points. The main "patterns" in various multiplication tables of course follow from the concept of multiplication. For example, table of 2 is counting by 2's. You get table of 4 by doubling the answers in table of 2. You get table of 8 by doubling the answers in table of 4. Table of 10 is counting by 10s. Table of 5 - just take half of what the 10 × Here are some resources to give you ideas about these kind of patterns and little "tricks". * Michele's Math * Times Tables' factsheets We ALSO need them to know the tables "backwards". Let me explain. It's not enough to know that 8 × 7 is 56, when someone asks what is 8 × 7. The students ALSO need to know that 56 is 8 × 7, when given just the answer...

Some people think "drill is kill", and many people think it's necessary. And of those that use it, not everyone knows HOW to actually drill math facts effectively. You know, this is NOT the most effective way: Shuffle the flash cards and start asking randomly. Why? Because you are not utilizing techniques that help our brain remember quicker. For example, it is easier to remember when the mind can tie the fact into something already known. This is the idea behind silly rhymes such as "five, six, seven, eight - fifty-six is seven times eight." Besides those, we want to show our children the PATTERNS in math. So this is how I start drilling math facts (whether addition or multiplication): I make a list on paper, IN ORDER. For example, lately we've been doing this with my daughter: 8 + 2 8 + 3 8 + 4 8 + 5 8 + 6 8 + 7 8 + 8 8 + 9 We went through the answers and notice how each one is ONE MORE than the next! That's a pattern! Then I would point to a fact and ...