Summer Work
Start working through your packets now and slowly work through them so you remember all the material and can hit the ground running in your math class in the fall. Please contact me if you have any questions about your packet. (khoekstra@mph.net) Remember to use the internet or your notes to refresh your memory on any topics you may not remember. Have a great summer!
*Some people have had a hard time viewing the Microsoft Word packets so I scanned the packets in as PDFs. If this is the case for you, try downloading the PDF packets and see if that works, if it doesn't, please contact me!
For students going into 6th grade:
Read the Math 6 handout and then read the indicated portions of the book Mathematicians are People Too
For students going into 7th grade:
If you are taking Math 7 - complete Math 6 to 7 Packet
Math 7 Packet - PDF
If you are taking Math IAC (Advanced Algebra)- work through the book Pre-Algebra Demystified and complete the Math IAC packet
Math IAC Packet - PDF
For students going into 8th grade:
All students need to read the book Number Devil and complete this reading guide
If you are taking Math 8/Math IAB- complete this packet
Math IAB Packet - PDF
If you are taking Math IAC - complete this packet
Math IAC Packet - PDF
If you are taking Math IIAC (this means you took IAC in 7th grade) - complete this packet
Math IIAC Packet - PDF
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Multiplication Facts
Multiplication facts are "the capstone of elementary mathematics and the gateway to higher mathematics." (NRC 2001, p. 242)
If your middle school or upper elementary school student doesn't know their multiplication facts quickly and consistently, they need to be working on them. You can practice them together using traditional methods like flash cards or straight quizzing or there are more modern ways to do it. Whatever way you choose, try to judge your student's stress level. We don't want them to hate math and think it is all about boring memorizing, but they need to learn these facts. When the answers to straight multiplication or addition problems don't come to them quickly and easily, they have a much harder time working with fractions, percents, estimation, division, rate, and ratios. Although it seems monotonous, these facts are "gateways" for our students and it is important they work on them at home and now them.
Some popular ways to do this include games like:
An interactive set of flash cards students can use on their own
Sumoku
A game for 2 or more people that requires strong adding and multiplying skills
Or more technological ways using websites or iPhone/iPod/iPad apps listed below.
Apps
Flash Tables
Although this one isn't free (costs $0.99) I have heard great things about it for students who have a hard time concentrating on regular flash cards.
Websites
Although some of these games are lower tech, there are so many options that students won't get bored playing the same one over and over again.
Gamequarium has a ton of games as well. I particularly like Math Millionaire to practice multiplying larger multiples of 10.
I like Sketch's World a lot but make sure to have students choose the 3-12 group!
Math Brain has been my personal favorite for many years now. I enjoy the variation of games as well as the different level choices for a student's grade level.
*I will continue to add to these as I come across new and fun ways to practice these important facts.
If your middle school or upper elementary school student doesn't know their multiplication facts quickly and consistently, they need to be working on them. You can practice them together using traditional methods like flash cards or straight quizzing or there are more modern ways to do it. Whatever way you choose, try to judge your student's stress level. We don't want them to hate math and think it is all about boring memorizing, but they need to learn these facts. When the answers to straight multiplication or addition problems don't come to them quickly and easily, they have a much harder time working with fractions, percents, estimation, division, rate, and ratios. Although it seems monotonous, these facts are "gateways" for our students and it is important they work on them at home and now them.
Some popular ways to do this include games like:
An interactive set of flash cards students can use on their own
Sumoku
A game for 2 or more people that requires strong adding and multiplying skills
Or more technological ways using websites or iPhone/iPod/iPad apps listed below.
Apps
Flash Tables
Although this one isn't free (costs $0.99) I have heard great things about it for students who have a hard time concentrating on regular flash cards.
Websites
Although some of these games are lower tech, there are so many options that students won't get bored playing the same one over and over again.
Gamequarium has a ton of games as well. I particularly like Math Millionaire to practice multiplying larger multiples of 10.
I like Sketch's World a lot but make sure to have students choose the 3-12 group!
Math Brain has been my personal favorite for many years now. I enjoy the variation of games as well as the different level choices for a student's grade level.
*I will continue to add to these as I come across new and fun ways to practice these important facts.
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