A Key to Elementary Math Success

For the last 2 1/2 years, I have heard the same thing over and over from parents. My child has always been an A student, but now in 3rd Grade, his/her math scores have dropped and they are really struggling. What is happening? Multiplication tables are happening—or not happening. I am not sure why flashcards and memorization techniques do not seem to be an integral part of math curriculum anymore in the public school system. Students in middle and high school are still skip counting using fingers to find the answers to single digit multiplication. Memorization of the times tables is an absolutely crucial element for math success. If a student spends the majority of their time trying to calculate, word problems and other logic puzzles will be very difficult. Calculations should be the easy part of math.

If you would like to help your student with memorization, get two sets of flashcards. Write the answers on one set and leave the other set blank. They understand zeros, ones, tens and elevens, so begin with the twos. Say 2 2 4, 2 2 4, 2 2 4. What is 2 x 2? They will say 4. They need to see the answer with the problem to make the connection. Repeat the multiplication and the answer without using words. Have your child give you the answer only, not “Two times two is four.” Words interfere with memorization of times tables. From the twos go to fours and then eights and go back for the threes, sixes and twelves. The sevens will happen as you go along doing the other numbers. This is not a process that can be stopped after a few weeks. Keep going throughout 3rd Grade and even into 4th Grade to instill complete confidence in their answers.

After your child has memorized the times tables, you will notice a much more confident and happy student when it comes to math. Always give positive reinforcement and maybe even a treat for trying their best. If they believe they can do it, they will.

Maia Emery

Chief Academic Officer

Math Monkey

Comments

[Thomas and Celestine Harrell]

Greetings our Math Monkey family, I just wanted to tell you how much of a strong foundation the Math Monkey program has given our twin daughters. We were part of your inaugural class in Solon and the girls still refer to the lessons learned in Math Monkey today. Both girls competed with their classes to participate in the Math Olympics and the two representatives for the fifth grade are your former students. One for computations and the other for reasoning. Thankfully they will not have to compete against each other, that's a stress reliever for the parents. My only disappointment is that because we relocated we no longer have the opportunity to be apart of Math Monkey. Ms. Jeanette and all the others are awesome to work with and we miss you guys.
Love, The Harrell family