Math

Research from the University of Chicago shows that simply talking about math at home with your children can help them get a deeper understanding of math and can boost their math performance.  Ask questions at the grocery store like, “How much money would it cost for 3 cans of beans?” and “How many more oranges did we buy than apples?” Have your children notice different shapes at the park.  Ask them “How many more exits until we get home?” Check out Bedtime Math and the hashtag #tmwyk on Twitter for more ideas!

For children in kindergarten through 2nd grade, counting collections are a great way to practice counting at home.  Students can count anything around the home like cereal, beans, pennies, hair clips, etc. Count out loud with your kids and ask them to group their items into 5s, 10s, or 100s to make counting easier. Counting collections can even be used with older students to practice their multiplication and skip counting!

• NCTM Illuminations has dozens of games for all grade levels.  Use the search feature to the right to narrow down your grade range.
• Greg Tang Math has games and puzzles for all ages
• Brainpop for 4th-5th graders and Brainpop Jr. for all students K-5 (both can also be logged in through Clever)
• AAA Math has thousands of interactive lessons for all grade levels
• Internet 4 Classroom has resources for all grade levels
• More math games here that can be searched for by grade level
• ABCya has skill and logic games for all grade levels

Manipulatives help students gain a conceptual understanding of the math they are learning.  Working with these tools can give students multiple ways to approach and solve problems.

• National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
• Toy Theater Manipulatives
• Math Tools from Investigations

• Adapts to provide students with lessons that they need when they need them;
• Provides VA standards based lessons that challenges students to think critically

• Quick check with fluency
• Coaching with Coach Penny
• Games for practice
• Reports for students to see progress

Lastly, Reflex, due to its time component, may not be a good fit for all of our Lions.  In this case, the teacher will develop an alternative plan for a student’s fluency work.

• Grade 2 students will work in addition and subtraction
• Grade 3 students will begin in addition and subtraction and move to multiplication and division once instruction in the conceptual understanding is taught  (unless there is an identified need to work within addition/subtraction)
• Grade 4 & 5 students will work in multiplication and division (unless there is an identified need to work within addition/subtraction)

REFLEX is also available to students in Grade 1 in Spring (4th quarter), only after formal instruction and students are prepared to solidify their understanding of addition and subtraction facts.

1. Provides Standards based data that tracks student growth and proficiency;
2. Is customizable to so that teachers may assign focus lessons based upon need; and
3. Provides teachers with insights as to how their students learn.

1. Let your child work as independently as possible, so that DreamBox can adjust to their mathematical understanding
2. Listen to the program feedback (the audio) and have your child try again
3. Use the Help/Hint button.
4. Encourage risk taking:

• What do you already know?
• What do you think you could do next?
• What happens when you try that?

1. Engage in REFLEX until you’ve reached the GREEN light.
2. Play REFLEX at least 4 times/week.