Unlocking Math Potential Building math confidence together! Solid math skills are like the foundation of a sturdy building for your child's success in school and their future. One crucial skill they need to focus on is called "automaticity,"which is like having speedy access to basic math facts without having to stop and think too long.
For instance, when your child is asked what 9 x 8 is, having automaticity means they can quickly respond with "72" without needing to grab a piece of paper and draw out 9 groups of 8 or do calculations like 10 x 8 and then subtracting 8.
72
9 x 8?
10x 8=8 0 80-8= 7 2
After mastering automaticity, the next goal is to develop math "fluency"-- being super quick and precise when solving basic math problems. For instance, if you give your student a subtraction problem like 27 – 12, they should be able to rely on their strong grasp of subtraction and swiftly and accurately tell you the answer is 15, without needing to put too much mental effort into it.
Here’s why building automaticity and fluency in math matters:
Builds Confidence: Confident kids tackle math challenges fearlessly.
Improves Problem-Solving: Strong foundations help with more complex math later on.
Fills Learning Gaps: Helps catch up and stay ahead in class.
How can you support your child to develop math automaticity and fluency? Practice, Practice, Practice! Create a daily math practice routine that suits your child's learning style and preferences. Set the timer for 15 minutes and have them practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts with fun games and activities. Here are some ideas:
Flashcards: Print free flashcards online to practice math facts. Challenge your child to complete the set while timing them during their first attempt. Create a digital or hand-drawn graph to track their progress, recording both correct answers and the time it takes. By repeating this exercise daily, you'll help them witness their math abilities improving over time.
Online Games: Online games are great to have your child practice while in the car on the way to school or to practice after school. There are loads on free online games that reinforce mastery of basic math skills. Check some of these out: https://www.funbrain.com/ https://www.multiplication.com/games https://www.mathplayground.com
Board Games: Games like Monopoly, Uno, Scrabble, and Yahtzee are great for reinforcing basic math facts. Consider adding some excitement to your weekly routine by dedicating one evening to a family game night!
Educator-tested online math resources
Math Worksheets:
Download and print free worksheets for extra practice. https://math-drills.com/
Math Apps: Explore educational apps for math skill development. https://teach.com/resources/10-free-math-apps-for-students-that-teachers-swear-by/
Interactive Lessons:
Find video lessons and tutorials to explain math concepts. https://mathantics.com/ and https://www.khanacademy.org/math
Math Challenges: Engage your child in math challenges and puzzles. https://www.mashupmath.com/freemathpuzzles
About Revolution Prep For over 20 years, Revolution Prep has positively impacted the lives of more than 4 million students. We firmly believe that nurturing a child's academic confidence and fostering a growth mindset approach results in improved grades, higher test scores, reduced stress, and essential skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
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