While we are making progress in math, we need to make more than baby steps to reach our goals. I am still concerned that many of my fourth graders do not know their basic multiplication facts - and are not working on them at home. It is CRUCIAL that everyone knows these facts fluently. While the goal is to be able to do 100 facts in 5 minutes, ultimately students must know their facts in order for us to move forward in algebra and more. The rest will come more naturally once they know their facts.
Parents, I am begging for your help on this. This is the most important hurdle we have to jump in our race to be successful in math. It does take some pushing.
Your child needs multiplication flash cards and MUST work on them nightly. From my own fourth grade experience, I know how painful it is to memorize multiplication facts, but your effort will pay off tremendously, later in the year.
Basic multiplication is something fourth graders should know on DAY ONE. With new national standards for fourth graders, I am really asking for you to catch us up so we can move to the richer, more meaningful lessons. With your help, I plan to take this class far.