Facts about Math!!!!

A strong foundation for success in math begins in elementary school.   Today teachers focus on understanding and making meaning as opposed to rote learning or memorizing. This includes mathematics learning.   It is imperative that students understand concepts rather than just memorize procedures to get answers. This said, there is a place for memory in acquiring basic number facts.

There are many tricks for learning number facts but there is no magic remedy for remembering.  The key is repetition in different forms. For example, some children memorize silently, others need to repeat out loud, while others need to write the facts to eventually commit them to memory. Most children need all three methods and more.

How can parents help children learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts?

• Communicate the importance of learning facts
• Expect your child to learn over time and with practice
• Spend 5 minutes each day practicing facts
• Use a variety of methods including games
• Read parent information about math on NS Dept of Education site http://eemla.ednet.ns.ca/parents_guardians.shtml (other sites available)

Parents need to recognize that a few minutes a day on number facts makes a difference at this level. Don’t assume it will happen at school or that memorizing is not necessary.  Math facts are the basis of math literacy, just as reading is to language literacy.  This is one area of learning that parents can feel confident that they are making a contribution to their child’s school success.

Study Fact Families:

7+6=13      13-7=6

6+7=13      13-6=7

Posted by Dr Pauline Mesher | Email a comment