The key to being successful in math is knowing your basic math facts. Currently we are working on multiplication of large numbers. In order to solve problems involving two or more digit numbers you have to know both multiplication and addition facts well. Later we will be working on geometry, fractions and division. Mastery of subtraction and division facts will be necessary as well.
Our class has been using two different websites to build math skills. We have been using the website Xtra Math to work on basic math facts. We are also using a website called Ten Marks. This website allows me to assign skills in the areas we are studying at school. Currently we are working on addition and subtraction, place value, basic multiplication and division facts, and multiplication of large numbers. If students get stuck, they can ask for a hint or view a video to help them work the problem.
One of the big advantages for both websites is that students receive immediate feedback about how well they did, and what their mistakes were. For each website, the students have their own ID and password or PIN. When they complete work on the websites, I can see what they have done. I can see which skills they have worked on and how successful they were.
You can find the websites at:
http://tenmarks.com/ and
https://www.xtramath.org/
These websites can be accessed and used at home, and beginning next week, we will begin using these two websites as our homework on Tuesday nights. I know that not everyone has the internet at home, so I will be conducting a Math Lab in my classroom every Wednesday and Thursday morning before school. My classroom will be open to students beginning at 7:45 on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Students who need or want to work on XtraMath and TenMarks here at school can come to my class at those times. They can enter through the cafeteria doors. I will provide them with a pass, which we will glue in their planners.
I will also invite some people to Math Lab so I can give them extra help in Math Skills. The more we practice, the better we'll get!
