Question about Mastering Math Facts

If I’m not mistaken, I believe Mr Steve wants them to answer quickly, not have to think about it, to have mastered the math facts. My dd is 8 and we are still mastering addition. She gets most of them all correct but still has to think about 8’s and 9’s. I figure subtraction will go along more smoothly and with less frustration if she knows her addition facts like the back of her hand!

So we are playing games day after day to help with retention, but we still do a math worksheet I print off daily so she is still writing them out. 

Tara

What seemed to help my 8yo master his addition facts was writing math facts as copywork (think I got the idea here!)   He’s using MUS, too–instead of 2 pg./day I had him slow down and do 1 pg./day plus 1 pg. of math facts.  I’ve also heard of playing Addition War—each of you turn over 2 cards and add them up—highest gets all 4 cards.  Blessings:) Gina

P.S.  If you try the copywork, be sure and specify that they are supposed to write the problem with answer before going on to next one—not copy a whole page of problems and then go back and write the answers—don’t ask how I know:)

I am doing something very different than what I have done before in math. I have used several of the above mentioned ,  highly praised, recommended etc etc programs, only to come up short with some of my children…. After much research, I have concluded that maybe it is the age when we introduce math. It doesn’t mean a child isn’t getting it , but are they retaining it and understanding it.. If they were , we wouldn’t need to spend so much time reviewing or “playing games” for them to get it… I really believe that we need to spend a few years allowing them to see real math in real life. I believe Ruth Beechick touches on this in her Three R’s book. But even older than that there was a grand experment done in 1932 in the Northeast, spurred on by a superintendent of a school district that became frustrated with the increase of “required” subjects, but less time ,  as the story goes, a courageous educator felt that the need was to take away math until the children were about 4th gr. or so.. It was carried through and thoroughly documented and the outcome, was these children in the experiment tested higher and retention was held than children “taught math” at an earlier age. This can be found online if you are interested in reading it…. My son age 7 but doing K (due to learning issues) puts the silverware away (from the dishwasher) he sorts, and all that, he stacks things and tells me some are larger than the other, he knows we have 2 cats, 1 dog, and he has 4 sisters and 2 brothers. I put a pile of 2 polished rocks down and just said how many are there? he says 2. I put a different one off to the side, and I ask how many, he says 1, and I slide them together and ask how many he says 3. .. He has no desire or ability to write with a pencil. therefore we do nothing with writing numerals. He does recognise numbers, and we toss a bean bag back and forth and he counts to 20 , we play dominoes, and that is about it for our math.. I am pleased with the results and will continue on this way for a couple more years, (Lord willing) and then I plan on using the Upton Strayer arithmetic books for their systematic approach….. Just wanted to add my .02. and I don’t want to discourage anyone as we each need to do what we do in faith.. I think us homeschoolers are quite special for doing what we do, but somehow/why when it comes to math we seem to become overwhelmed and overlook the obvious… Blessings KK

@ Kainklan – I have read the studies and material you mentioned and find much truth within. We need not push. I saw an interesteing movie this weekend, Race to Nowwhere, that touched on some similar issues within our school system.

@ Amyjane, if they are are ready and just having difficulty, I recommend Rapid Recall from Little Giant Steps. it has made all the difference for my dd10. She’s finished addition now and moving onto multiplication and subtraction. 10 minutes a day and finally she has it – every addition fact down cold! We tried everything – flashcards, flashmaster, wrap-ups, games, etc. and nothing took. I mention it simply as another option.

Christie