In this week’s Friday Folder there is a math sprint. It is on green paper and each side has two columns of math problems. Students are familiar with the math sprint procedure. In class, we do side A for 60 seconds and circle the last problem completed. Then we switch to a red pen and do all the problems together with the answer. Students must say the entire problem with the answer. They use the red pen to correct any wrong answers and write answers they did not get. On side A we go over the entire page of problems. Then we switch back to pencils and do side B for one minute. Students should do better on side B than side A. They are competing with themselves.
Some students have tried purposely doing less on side A so that they can have a better result for side B. I have explained that they are only cheating themselves. The point of the activity is to learn our math facts with automaticity so that doing math will be easier at school, at home, and in the real world.
On Monday, students will do the same sprint we did on Friday, which is the on the green paper. If they study over the weekend, they should have a better result on Monday than they did on Friday. Once again it is about improving with each successive sprint.
We will continue working on addition and subtraction math facts in preparation for module 4. The goals is to energize and hone students’ addition and subtraction facts before we begin module 4. Please keep up with your child’s progress using xtramath or flashcards to help him or her develop strong addition and subtraction math facts skills. By the end of the year everyone should be able to complete a minimum of 24 problems in one minute.