Multiplication Sundaes

This week we began our unit study over multiplication. We will focus on various strategies for solving multiplication problems. These include drawing a picture, using repeated addition and making an array. The students will also learn the Commutative, Associative, Distributive, Identity, and Zero properties of multiplication. To help promote mastery of the facts (0-12) we will be having a classroom incentive. Each week students will take a timed quiz over the selected fact for the week. The quiz will consist of thirty questions and students will have three minutes to complete each quiz (this allows approximately six seconds per problem). With each quiz, students will be building ice-cream sundaes for the facts that they master. Students will not be able to retake a fact test. The multiplication table for the week will go home on Wednesday and the students will take their test on Tuesday (with the exception of this week...the multiplication table will come home tomorrow and the test will be on Tuesday). I urge you to practice the multiplication facts at home with your child. This is one skill that will take repeated practice and memorization to master. Flash cards, oral repetition, and games on the computer are great ways for students to study their facts. If they know a fact easily, move on to more difficult facts to practice. Facts should also be practiced out of sequence. When you practice them, don’t just do 1 x 2, but also 2 x 1; this demonstrates the Commutative Property and helps them realize that once they have learned one fact, they have actually learned two! If you have any questions please let me know.