What does rising AAP 3rd grader need to know?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. My son was accepted into AAP on appeal so we didn't make it to the orientation. On another thread a parent wrote that parents were encouraged to teach their kids the multiplication tables, etc. over the summer, at their orientation. Can anyone else confirm this? Was there anything else that was mentioned?

Is there any other way I should prepare my son?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

That was the main thing mentioned at our AAP session... actually, it was the only thing mentioned (for all 3rd graders, not just AAP).

I don't think you need to do anything else other than take him to the open house or arrange for a quick walk around the school.

[Anonymous]

I don't even think that's a big deal if your child can learn them without difficulty. My kid didn't have the tables memorized but picked them up during school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't even think that's a big deal if your child can learn them without difficulty. My kid didn't have the tables memorized but picked them up during school.

+1 our school said to NOT memorize them at the AAP orientation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't even think that's a big deal if your child can learn them without difficulty. My kid didn't have the tables memorized but picked them up during school.

+1 our school said to NOT memorize them at the AAP orientation.

That doesn't even make any sense! Why would teachers ever tell students "don't bother learning ___"???? Bizarre. My older kid who wasn't going to AAP learned her mulltiplication during the summer before 3rd grade b/c I knew it would give her confidence in 3rd grade and it would reduce her stress during the year b/c she wouldn't be trying to memorize them. I cannot understand why anyone wouldn't use the summer to imprint/reinforce skills that don't come easily or just use the summer to make the rest of the busy school year easier. Slow and steady wins the race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't even think that's a big deal if your child can learn them without difficulty. My kid didn't have the tables memorized but picked them up during school.

+1 our school said to NOT memorize them at the AAP orientation.

That doesn't even make any sense! Why would teachers ever tell students "don't bother learning ___"???? Bizarre. My older kid who wasn't going to AAP learned her mulltiplication during the summer before 3rd grade b/c I knew it would give her confidence in 3rd grade and it would reduce her stress during the year b/c she wouldn't be trying to memorize them. I cannot understand why anyone wouldn't use the summer to imprint/reinforce skills that don't come easily or just use the summer to make the rest of the busy school year easier. Slow and steady wins the race.

Perhaps the teachers have valid reasons: we teach a certain way, we teach as a group to reinforce with group related rewards, we don't want the kids feeling 'bored' because they are rehashing old material, etc. Don't you have faith in the system enough that if a third grade teacher told this to the whole set of parents whose kids were going into the AAP program and in front of the principal and assistant principal and the other two third grade teachers that there is a valid basis for it, even if you don't agree?

[Anonymous]

No -- in fact, I would seriously question what kind of "teaching" they espoused if they are the only people qualified or their way is the only "right" way to teach multiplication tables! Again... "bizarre" comes to mind. If they simply said "don't pressure your kids to memorize them" -- fine, b/c there might be some people a little too intense. I'm hoping you mid-heard or mis-remembered.

Multiplication facts are just that -- facts -- like the order of the letters of the alphabet! Memorizing them can take quite a bit of repetition for some kids and then add in the timed-test pressure that will come in 3rd grade --- it only makes sense to get the ball rolling when they have few if any other pressures/homework/activities.

But, if you want to keep your kid from learning them this summer -- that's fine. My kid is zipping through them and will be happy and confident when they reach that part of the math curriculum in the fall. Do what works for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No -- in fact, I would seriously question what kind of "teaching" they espoused if they are the only people qualified or their way is the only "right" way to teach multiplication tables! Again... "bizarre" comes to mind. If they simply said "don't pressure your kids to memorize them" -- fine, b/c there might be some people a little too intense. I'm hoping you mid-heard or mis-remembered.

Multiplication facts are just that -- facts -- like the order of the letters of the alphabet! Memorizing them can take quite a bit of repetition for some kids and then add in the timed-test pressure that will come in 3rd grade --- it only makes sense to get the ball rolling when they have few if any other pressures/homework/activities.

But, if you want to keep your kid from learning them this summer -- that's fine. My kid is zipping through them and will be happy and confident when they reach that part of the math curriculum in the fall. Do what works for you!

So glad your kid is zipping through them. How proud you must be!

[Anonymous]

On the bottom of the school supplies list the teacher noted that 'children should know their basic multiplication and division facts.'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No -- in fact, I would seriously question what kind of "teaching" they espoused if they are the only people qualified or their way is the only "right" way to teach multiplication tables! Again... "bizarre" comes to mind. If they simply said "don't pressure your kids to memorize them" -- fine, b/c there might be some people a little too intense. I'm hoping you mid-heard or mis-remembered.

Multiplication facts are just that -- facts -- like the order of the letters of the alphabet! Memorizing them can take quite a bit of repetition for some kids and then add in the timed-test pressure that will come in 3rd grade --- it only makes sense to get the ball rolling when they have few if any other pressures/homework/activities.

But, if you want to keep your kid from learning them this summer -- that's fine. My kid is zipping through them and will be happy and confident when they reach that part of the math curriculum in the fall. Do what works for you!

So glad your kid is zipping through them. How proud you must be!

Not "proud" -- but relieved that it's going so much faster/easier than it did with older sibling. Makes my life easier for sure. Learning the multiplication facts is not easy for every kid. I'm sure that's why the AAP teachers at my kid's school openly (in front of all the teachers and principal) said "all kids should work on their multiplication facts before 3rd grade, not just the AAP kids." Enjoy your math-free summer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No -- in fact, I would seriously question what kind of "teaching" they espoused if they are the only people qualified or their way is the only "right" way to teach multiplication tables! Again... "bizarre" comes to mind. If they simply said "don't pressure your kids to memorize them" -- fine, b/c there might be some people a little too intense. I'm hoping you mid-heard or mis-remembered.

Multiplication facts are just that -- facts -- like the order of the letters of the alphabet! Memorizing them can take quite a bit of repetition for some kids and then add in the timed-test pressure that will come in 3rd grade --- it only makes sense to get the ball rolling when they have few if any other pressures/homework/activities.

But, if you want to keep your kid from learning them this summer -- that's fine. My kid is zipping through them and will be happy and confident when they reach that part of the math curriculum in the fall. Do what works for you!

So glad your kid is zipping through them. How proud you must be!

Not "proud" -- but relieved that it's going so much faster/easier than it did with older sibling. Makes my life easier for sure. Learning the multiplication facts is not easy for every kid. I'm sure that's why the AAP teachers at my kid's school openly (in front of all the teachers and principal) said "all kids should work on their multiplication facts before 3rd grade, not just the AAP kids." Enjoy your math-free summer!

I never said my kid had a math free summer. I never said my kid didn't know the multiplication facts. My kid knew them before the AAP orientation, however.

[Anonymous]

Hi, OP. I've had 3 of my kids go through 3rd grade AAP. Here's some advice for your child/ren:

1. Learn the 1 - 12 multiplication table
2. Read about 1 hour a day. The successful students are readers. You have to instill the love of reading.
3. Write a summary of what you read. 2 -3 paragraphs should suffice. Mom/dad, din't look for mistakes, just get the child writing (or typing)
4. Watch movies as a family. Not just disney flicks, but documentaries or TVland shows.
5. Kids learn best by watching their parent(s). If you learn something new (how to bake an upside down pienapple ckae), your kid will learn something new and will be escited about it, jst as you will be. If you read an hour, so will your child, etc.

Enjoy summer!

[Anonymous]

Plz forgive me - too many typos above

[Anonymous]

I think it is important to be familiar with multiplication and division facts to 12. Make sure you aren't just memorizing but that you kid understands exactly what 4x4= and why. There is a strong emphasis on writing and explaination of how you arrived at your answers. Also, I would have child read and also write about what they have read, Get them in the habit of lots of writing to explain their thinking or rationale. This has been the MOST important skill learned in AAP.