The third-grade class spent the past week reviewing multiplication and division basic facts and learning the various rules associated with them. Our mornings are starting with a worksheet compilation of equations from all four processes. We are focusing on strategies when faced with a variety of equations, such as working through the “easy ones” first. We also are reviewing and practicing mental math facts and tricks as we look at the solution for each equation. During our main lesson each day, the students copied a multiplication flower, a creative and colorful way to see the facts in a new formation. They copied the rules and the tables for both division and multiplication. We spent time each day talking about the connection between multiplication and division as well as looking for patterns. This past week, we focused on our tried and true facts of 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10. Next week, we will move on to 3, 4, 6, 9, and 11. The students also have had experience/practice with these facts throughout the school year. For those that are not yet mastered, the shortcuts or “tricks” we learn will support developing abilities to solve equations faster and with greater success. This foundation is critical for the higher-level mathematics we will move onto in the fourth grade.
As we head into the end of the school year, please help your child have adequate sleep each school night (weekends too, when possible!). More and more students are coming to school tired. It affects their engagement in academic work, and it also affects the social dynamics in our classroom. We have two students who will not be returning next year and, within our tight-knit class community, emotions swing with these coming changes. When children (adults, too!) are tired, as we all know, feelings can loom even larger, and internal compasses have a more difficult time balancing. Also, please, as much as possible, be sure “sleeping” children are sleeping. I have heard stories of secret, late-night reading on more than one occasion ... LOL...it’s a delightful “problem” to have at this stage in parenting!
With gratitude,
Melissa
