Math Mad Minutes

Drills are a VERY important part of teaching math. They only take a couple of minutes per day but the results are worth it! Children will complete their math assignments faster and with less frustration. Therefore, I have my kids complete math drills beginning in first grade with simple addition facts and they progress through a variety of drills through sixth grade.

 One approach to daily drills is using math mad minutes. First, make several copies of a math drill sheet. Give your child the same sheet every day for a week before you start your daily math lesson. Time him for one minute to see how many math facts he can answer correctly. Have him try to beat his record the next day. You can teach your child to answer the facts he knows first and then go back to the problems that take extra time. If he can answer at least ninety percent correctly within one minute by the end of the week, he can receive a reward. These are great for learning and reviewing the basic facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) in any grade level, and they only take one minute!
3rd-Grade Math Minutes
Here is an example of a book I have used in the classroom and at home with my own kids.

 2009 UPDATE:
I finally found FREE mad minute printables. How well do your students know the multiplication tables for the numbers two through five? Use these one-minute drill sheets to find out.

2011 UPDATE:
I have been using on-line drill sheets for my kids for the past several months. They enjoy completing them because the sites instantly grade them. My kids know they have to earn a 90% or higher so they keep working until they meet their goal. What a time-saver for the teacher! These sites below have on-line AND printable options- so cool!


(Click on the pre-made fact sheets, your child's grade level, and the pencil icon to the right of the skill you want your child to practice.)

 Handwriting for Kids Logo
www.handwritingforkids.com
2012 UPDATE:
Technology has come a long way since I first posted about math mad minutes five years ago. There are plenty of fun options to practice drills that disguise learning! I polled my kids and here are their favorite multiplication drill sites. Just click on each image to be taken to the site.
What kid wouldn't love this? Enough said :)

These arcade-style games below have kids feel more like they are playing games in place of completing traditional worksheets.


 Want more drill sites? I organized multiplication drills using a Sqworl. All you need to do is bookmark this Sqworl for your child instead of saving several different sites or you can create you own Sqworl in a few minutes. I previously posted about creating a Sqworl HERE.

2016 UPDATE:
This post has been the most updated out of all my posts, which shows how much technology has influenced practicing math facts. My kids still enjoy the math basketball site referenced above but their new favorite way to practice math facts is by using apps on their devices. There are many fun math apps to use and children feel like they are playing a game, not practicing boring facts. Since these are changing all the time, I encourage you to read the reviews on each app before purchasing one. Most have a free version to try out before you by that you can use to see it your child likes it. Their current faves are Wonder Bunny Math and Math Run.)



I using enjoy apps because they are entertaining, educational, and most of all, convenient. My kids can use them no matter where we are at- in the car, waiting for an appointment, or at home.

CURRICULUM:
Two of my children are heavy into multiplication and division this school year. I use Teaching Textbooks, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! I wish this curriculum had been around when my oldest son was in elementary school. As a curriculum specialist, I am very picky about math programs and Teaching Textbooks is the best I've used in the upper elementary grades. My kids are hooked on it and finish the school year's assignments months ahead. I only use the computer version- no workbooks. I find this to be enough for my kids.
I also recommend Teaching Textbooks to parents who have their child in school and need extra help in math at home (in place of a tutor- much easier on the family instead of driving and waiting for tutoring sessions and less costly). The parent can choose which skills to practice more and those skills that need to be retaught. The teacher should be able to help guide the parents in choosing those skills. Kids really enjoy completing their assignments on the computer in place of traditional textbooks, too.

Enjoy making math facts fun for your child,

Book Adventure




An outstanding on-line reading program!

Sylvan sponsors my favorite reading resource, which is available for FREE on-line at http://www.bookadventure.com/ . First, pick your child’s reading level, and have your child choose five categories of interest. Next, print out a list of the books on your child’s reading level that he would be interested in reading. Take the list to the library to find the books, or search your local library on-line to order the books.

The best part is that your child can take a comprehension quiz on-line when he is finished reading the book. The program grades the quiz and rewards your child with points. Your child can go to the “prize center” on-line. Parents make up their own prizes, such as 300 points to stay up late one night, 800 for a trip to the movies, 500 points for a sleepover with a friend, or 200 for a trip to get ice cream. You choose what motivates your child. This free reading program is similar to the Accelerated Reader (AR) program that is used in many schools.


If your child is consistently scoring high on the comprehension quizzes, you may be able to increase his reading level. If your child is repeatedly performing poorly, have your child read at a little lower level. The goal is to have your child reading material at his instructional level that is not too hard or too easy, but just right. Studies indicate the most efficient learning takes place when children stretch themselves a bit. If the material is too hard, your child may not be capable of processing it. If it is too easy, little growth may take place. Have fun using this awesome teaching tool!


Lauri Products perfect for fine motor skillls!

Lauri Perception Puzzles

My children love these brightly colored puzzles because they are challenging, the texture is appealing, and the rubber pieces are flexible and durable. Don't worry about missing pieces because Lauri has a replacement service and guarantee. Lauri's pieces are washable and virtually indestructible for years of quiet, safe play. I recommend purchasing these puzzles in sets, as they are definitely worth the investment.

Little ones need practice in mental exercises, such as perceiving sight differences, so they will be prepared for reading by helping their brains make important neurological connections. In more technical terms, these perception puzzles help your child connect his dendrites to his neurons in his brain, which are the main connections that occur during reading. Thus, you are setting a firm foundation for reading even before you teach your child a letter sound. Isn't that cool?

Lauri Stacking Pegs

The stacking pegs can be used for sorting, counting, creating patterns, and developing fine motor skills. The brightly colored pegs nudge into the rubber pegboard base and can be stacked securely on top of each other, higher and higher.



Lauri Shape and Color Sorter
 
The shape and color sorter has chunky shapes that are bumpy on one side and smooth on the other. Children slide these rubber shapes over glossy pegs. This activity promotes dexterity, sorting skills (shape and color), and eye-hand coordination.

Lauri products are excellent to use with a young child while you are working with an older child. The younger child still feels involved in school time, and these products will keep him interested for awhile. This will allow you to concentrate on your older child. I keep the Lauri products hidden away and take them out only during school time, so my children are more focused and excited to play with them during our learning time.

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