How did your child learn math facts?

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but thanks for posting. This is something I think we need to work on this summer with DD!

[Anonymous]

We bought the flashmaster or equivalent and it really did not click. Not when they have experienced online game (math) and other apps. I would not get this item anymore and do as others said- xtramath (free).. the kids liked that it was rather brief and they got instant feedback.

[Anonymous]

I gave my son a written list of random additions and subtractions. A page full. Basically it is a memorization and repeating math problem. To make it fun, I also downloaded a math game app at my computer. I allowed him to play for 15-20 minutes /day. Have fun with the game

[Anonymous]

www.dadsworksheets.com

I print off various ones and DD does them in addition to homework at night.

[Anonymous]

First off, let me start out by saying that I love math. I grew up as the child of two math majors. They passed on their love of math to me and I hope to impart that to my children.

I have very fond memories of doing supplemental math at home with my father. This is the sort of thing that I hope to give my children. I hope that they look back on math, not as some drudgery to get through (even though at the time it may feel like drudgery), but with fond memories and good associations.

I realize that most people don't like math. But attitude counts for a lot.

For the practicalities of it, I try to devote about 10 minutes a day to going through simple arithmetic. The level of course depends on your child. Start at whatever level your child is. Doesn't matter what that level is. Doesn't matter what age. You have to start where they are at. Set them up for success. This is what builds confidence. I started my son with addition of only single digits up to 10. We worked on both accuracy and speed. I only move up in difficulty when I see consistent comfort at the current level.

I do it all verbally, one on one. You can do flash cards. I use a random worksheet generator (Math Fact Cafe, but there are others out there). The important thing IMO is that you are devoting your time and attention to your child, so that you can engage, invest, and build that relationship. This is why I do not outsource.

I often mix it all up to keep it interesting in terms of methodology. It's not a highly organized curriculum. Sometimes I give the answer and ask for my child to make up a question. Sometimes I have my child ask me questions and tell me if I'm right or wrong. I am also unafraid to go off on tangents and loop in other concepts if my child goes there -- like the concept of fractions and negative numbers, even though they are more advanced topics that he isn't fully ready for.

[Anonymous]

Update from OP - It's only day 3 but he loves xtramath.com It's straightforward without any of the cheesy stuff like Dreambox and he's really responding. Younger DD watched and asked immediately to try the K level. Since it is free they signed me up and we do it as a family before dinner. They think it's funny watching me quickly solve addition problems. Again, today was only day 3 so hopefully we keep it up. I like that it is a short amount of time and a lot of virtual flashcards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son's school provided kids with a subscription to Reflex Math. By the middle of second grade, he had mastered all addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts from 1-12.

How is that relevant? Did you even read the OP?

[Anonymous]

OP again with another update. Week 3 of xtramath and my son is crashing again. We had a talk tonight and he said how he feels he's doing worse than when he started because he feels like his brain is "freezing up" with the timed facts. That's a good description since I've watched him stare frozen during the race the teacher drills. I told him we could go back to the two of us working with actual flashcards and he looked relieved. I guess we will just have to keep trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again with another update. Week 3 of xtramath and my son is crashing again. We had a talk tonight and he said how he feels he's doing worse than when he started because he feels like his brain is "freezing up" with the timed facts. That's a good description since I've watched him stare frozen during the race the teacher drills. I told him we could go back to the two of us working with actual flashcards and he looked relieved. I guess we will just have to keep trying.

Good old paper and pen.

[Anonymous]

My son did all the pages in this book called 2 plus 2 is not 5. It is not exciting but he learned all his addition and subtraction facts before entering 1st grade. He did the following multiplication book the following summer.
https://www.amazon.com/Plus-Methods-Learn-Addition-Subtraction/dp/0977732304?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

It is 232 pages of problems with tricks to help memorize. There is built in review so the child never forgets. It took my son three to four months to finish the book by doing a page or two everyday for 5 to 10 minutes a day. That is what it took for him to memorize them and have instant recall. His younger brother has somehow just memorized them all without having to slog through a book. Both kids are smart just in a different way. Some kids need the repetitive written practice.

[Anonymous]

http://www.thatquiz.org/

you have sooooooo many options, all the way from preK-level missing number identification to Calculus integrals. You can set a time limit, a certain number of problems or both. It can give feedback after each quiz, and it always gives the question and answer for anything that was missed. Thatquiz and khanacademy are my two favorite sites for math enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son did all the pages in this book called 2 plus 2 is not 5. It is not exciting but he learned all his addition and subtraction facts before entering 1st grade. He did the following multiplication book the following summer.
https://www.amazon.com/Plus-Methods-Learn-Addition-Subtraction/dp/0977732304?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

It is 232 pages of problems with tricks to help memorize. There is built in review so the child never forgets. It took my son three to four months to finish the book by doing a page or two everyday for 5 to 10 minutes a day. That is what it took for him to memorize them and have instant recall. His younger brother has somehow just memorized them all without having to slog through a book. Both kids are smart just in a different way. Some kids need the repetitive written practice.

Thank you. I just purchased this.