16,99 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Bildung
- Sprache: Englisch
It's not too late to learn new math tricks--and help kids learn them, too! Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies teaches you the new standard way of teaching kids math. It's all about thinking through how to solve problems and using strategies, rather than just memorizing the procedures. In this book, parents, guardians, and tutors will learn how to use these methods and standards to effectively teach kids Common Core math for grades 6-8. Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies shows you how schools are teaching kids math these days, and gives you tools to support kids through the homework and test prep process. You'll love this book's clear explanations and examples organized by grade level. With Teaching Your Kids New Math, Grades 6-8, For Dummies?? you'll also get access to online tools, including dozens of math worksheets for additional support. * Learn how to teach 6th through 8th grade math according to the Common Core * Discover the new methods and formulas that are standard for math instruction * Get best teaching practices, example problems, and tips about common math pitfalls * Help your kids with math homework and enhance the homeschool journey This is the perfect Dummies guide for anyone who needs guidance on how to teach kids math using new methods and concepts--they're different from what we learned in school! Future math teachers will also love this user-friendly guide to middle-grade math.
Sie lesen das E-Book in den Legimi-Apps auf:
Seitenzahl: 333
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
Ähnliche
Teaching Your Kids New Math, 6-8 For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Media and software compilation copyright © 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
Trademarks: Wiley, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, Dummies.com, Making Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: WHILE THE PUBLISHER AND AUTHORS HAVE USED THEIR BEST EFFORTS IN PREPARING THIS WORK, THEY MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES REPRESENTATIVES, WRITTEN SALES MATERIALS OR PROMOTIONAL STATEMENTS FOR THIS WORK. THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION, WEBSITE, OR PRODUCT IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION AND/OR POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PUBLISHER AND AUTHORS ENDORSE THE INFORMATION OR SERVICES THE ORGANIZATION, WEBSITE, OR PRODUCT MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE. THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR SITUATION. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST WHERE APPROPRIATE. FURTHER, READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAPPEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR AUTHORS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFIT OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER DAMAGES.
For general information on our other products and services, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S. at 877-762-2974, outside the U.S. at 317-572-3993, or fax 317-572-4002. For technical support, please visit https://hub.wiley.com/community/support/dummies.
Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022951572
ISBN 978-1-119-98639-3 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-98642-3 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-98641-6 (ebk)
Teaching Your Kids New Math Grades 6-8 For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Teaching Your Kids New Math Grades 6-8 For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
List of Tables
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 The Metric System Units of Measure
TABLE 16-2 The Metric System Prefix Values
List of Illustrations
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1: A timed addition worksheet.
FIGURE 2-2: A worksheet for two-digit addition with carrying.
FIGURE 2-3: A worksheet for practicing three-digit addition with carrying.
FIGURE 2-4: A worksheet for performing two-digit addition with carrying.
FIGURE 2-5: A worksheet for three-digit addition.
FIGURE 2-6: Solving two-digit addition using number lines.
FIGURE 2-7: A worksheet for solving three-digit addition problems using number ...
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1: A timed subtraction worksheet.
FIGURE 3-2: A subtraction worksheet with boxes to assist in the borrowing proce...
FIGURE 3-3: A worksheet with boxes to assist with borrowing.
FIGURE 3-4: A worksheet for performing two-digit subtraction with borrowing.
FIGURE 3-5: A worksheet for three-digit subtraction.
FIGURE 3-6: Solving two-digit subtraction using number lines.
FIGURE 3-7: A worksheet for solving three-digit subtraction problems using numb...
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: A timed multiplication worksheet.
FIGURE 4-2: A worksheet for two-digit multiplication.
FIGURE 4-3: A worksheet for practicing three-digit multiplication.
FIGURE 4-4: A worksheet for using box multiplication.
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: A timed division worksheet.
FIGURE 5-2: A long-division worksheet.
FIGURE 5-3: A long-division worksheet.
FIGURE 5-4: A worksheet with remainder division.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: A fraction worksheet.
FIGURE 6-2: A worksheet for adding like fractions.
FIGURE 6-3: A worksheet for subtracting like fractions.
FIGURE 6-4: A fraction multiplication worksheet.
FIGURE 6-5: A worksheet for dividing fractions.
FIGURE 6-6: A worksheet for adding unlike fractions.
FIGURE 6-7: A worksheet for subtracting unlike fractions.
FIGURE 6-8: A worksheet for converting improper fractions to their proper form.
FIGURE 6-9: A worksheet for reducing fractions.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: A worksheet for comparing decimal numbers.
FIGURE 7-2: A worksheet for adding decimal numbers.
FIGURE 7-3: A worksheet for subtracting decimal numbers.
FIGURE 7-4: A multiplication worksheet for decimals.
FIGURE 7-5: A division worksheet for decimals.
FIGURE 7-6: A worksheet for decimals.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: A factor worksheet.
FIGURE 8-2: A factor tree worksheet.
FIGURE 8-3: A worksheet for finding the greatest common factor.
FIGURE 8-4: A worksheet for identifying least common multiples.
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: A worksheet to calculate perimeters.
FIGURE 9-2: Shapes for area calculations.
FIGURE 9-3: Circles for perimeter and area calculations.
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1: A worksheet for subtracting numbers with negative results.
FIGURE 10-2: A worksheet for comparing positive and negative numbers.
FIGURE 10-3: A worksheet for adding negative numbers.
FIGURE 10-4: A worksheet for subtracting negative numbers.
FIGURE 10-5: A worksheet for multiplying negative numbers.
FIGURE 10-6: A worksheet for dividing negative numbers.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: An average value worksheet.
FIGURE 11-2: A minimum and maximum value worksheet.
FIGURE 11-3: A data sorting worksheet.
FIGURE 11-4: A worksheet for calculating the mode.
FIGURE 11-5: A worksheet for calculating the median.
FIGURE 11-6: A worksheet for calculating the range of data.
Chapter 12
FIGURE 12-1: A ratio worksheet.
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1: A worksheet for writing expressions in exponential form.
FIGURE 13-2: A worksheet to rewrite expressions that use exponents in their exp...
FIGURE 13-3: A worksheet with values raised to the powers of 0, 1, and 2.
FIGURE 13-4: A worksheet with negative powers.
FIGURE 13-5: An exponent multiplication worksheet.
FIGURE 13-6: An exponent division worksheet.
Chapter 14
FIGURE 14-1: A worksheet to solve simple expressions for
x.
FIGURE 14-2: A worksheet to solve for
x
in more complex expressions.
FIGURE 14-3: A worksheet for solving for multiples of
x
.
FIGURE 14-4: A worksheet for solving for
x
.
FIGURE 14-5: A worksheet to solve for
x
with exponents.
FIGURE 14-6: A worksheet for solving for
x
with complex expressions.
FIGURE 14-7: A worksheet for representing inequalities.
FIGURE 14-8: A worksheet to write inequalities.
Chapter 15
FIGURE 15-1: A worksheet to convert fractions to percentages.
FIGURE 15-2: A worksheet for solving the percent one value is of another.
Chapter 20
FIGURE 20-1: Using a protractor to measure angles.
FIGURE 20-2: An unknown angle worksheet.
FIGURE 20-3: A worksheet to identify triangle types.
Chapter 23
FIGURE 23-1: A worksheet for using two expressions to solve for
x
.
FIGURE 23-2: A worksheet for using two expressions to solve for 2 unknowns.
Chapter 24
FIGURE 24-1: Number types.
Chapter 25
FIGURE 25-1: Working with scientific notation.
FIGURE 25-2: A worksheet for rewriting numbers from scientific notation.
Chapter 26
FIGURE 26-1: A worksheet to identify linear expressions.
FIGURE 26-2: A worksheet for calculating the slope of lines.
FIGURE 26-3: A worksheet for identifying the y-intercept.
FIGURE 26-4: A worksheet for identifying the slope and intercept.
Chapter 27
FIGURE 27-1: A worksheet for calculating perimeters.
FIGURE 27-2: A worksheet for calculating the area of shapes.
FIGURE 27-3: A worksheet for finding the volume of 3D shapes.
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
Pages
i
ii
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
Introduction
Different people like different things. Some of us like to travel. Some like walks in the woods. And some people like pina coladas and getting caught in rain. But math? People can get emotional about math — they often either love it or hate it.
I’ve noticed that people who find that math is not their cup of tea never really mastered the basics. That’s what this book is all about.
If you fall into the category of people who dislike “old math,” you may not be excited that there is now “new math.”
Relax. New math is just a result of finding better ways to solve problems. You’re still going to use good ol’ addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but you’ll do it with new math. You’re just going to show your kids better ways to do it, and this book will show you how.
This book provides step-by-step instructions for how to use both old and new math to solve problems that sixth- through eighth-graders must know. It also provides instructions, examples, and practice problems, and often suggests what you should say as you teach your child.
About This Book
You may have chosen this book for several reasons. If your child is struggling with math, they likely need to relearn some fundamentals. This book will help. Or, you may have a budding math genius to whom you want to teach the next set of concepts. Often, people buy this book because their kids just brought home an assignment that looks Greek to them. The good news is that this book can help you teach those concepts that the ancient Greeks passed down to us.
Regardless of your reasons, you’ve got the right book.
This book presents the math your child must know from sixth through eighth grade, with each chapter focusing on specific key concepts. If your child needs help with only algebra or statistics, you can turn to a specific chapter that addresses that topic. If your child is struggling at their current grade level, you can take a step back and strengthen their foundation, knowledge, and confidence from previous grades. The first section of this book provides your child with a review of the concepts they should have mastered up through fifth grade.
Within each chapter, you will find step-by-step instructions for how to teach each concept. I’ve also provided many example problems for you to work through with your child. Let them solve the problems right on the book’s pages if you want — after all, it’s your book.
I understand that it may have been a while since you solved math problems without the help of your phone’s calculator app. However, I think you’ll be pleased with how much math you remember! You can do this!
Foolish Assumptions
I like math. That, however, does not mean everyone does!
Don’t worry if you normally turn to your phone’s calculator to solve math problems. I often use mine, too!
I understand that math can be hard — Einstein, in fact, said, “Do not worry too much about your difficulties in mathematics; I can assure you that mine are still greater.”
Relax. We’re going to look at sixth- through eighth-grade math. You can do this. In fact, you may be surprised at how many of the math concepts in this book you can use on an everyday basis!
Don’t let the terms “new math” or “Common Core math” intimidate you. This book covers standard addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, just in new ways.
Icons Used in This Book
The Tip icon marks tips (duh!) and shortcuts that you can use to make learning new math easier, and sometimes how to know when it’s time to take a break!
The Remember icon points out things that you should, uh, remember! You and your child will examine a lot of topics throughout this book. I include this icon for those things you should keep in the back of your mind as you move forward.
Throughout this book, I’ve included references to worksheets with additional problems your child should practice. This icon identifies those worksheets you can find on this book’s companion website.
Beyond the Book
Becoming a “math whiz” requires practice. I’ve sprinkled many math problems your child can complete throughout this book. But because I know “practice makes perfect,” I’ve provided many worksheets of problems on this book’s companion website at www.dummies.com/go/teachingyourkidsnewmath6-8fd. As you and your child work your way through this book, you should take the time to download and print the corresponding practice worksheets.
In addition, should you need quick help on a math process and you don’t have this book handy, I’ve created a Cheat Sheet you can download and print that will help you with many key concepts. Head to www.dummies.com and type Teaching Your Kids New Math 6-8 For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the search bar.
Where to Go from Here
This book’s first section includes a review of the key math concepts taught through fifth grade. Often, the reason kids dislike math is because they are learning new concepts that build upon concepts that were previously taught, but which they don’t fully understand. If your child is struggling with math, take time to review thoroughly this book’s first section — that will be time well spent. You will not only build your child’s math foundation, but also their confidence. With that, they may even start to like math!
The chapters of this book are meant to be read in order. That said, if your child drops their unfinished math homework in front of you while you are trying to drink your morning coffee, you can turn directly to the concept at hand. Later that evening, when you switch to a different beverage, you can take time to go over the concepts upon which your child’s homework relies.
Most of this book’s chapters introduce concepts with examples that you may find easier than your child’s homework. That’s intentional. I want your child to understand the concept, not struggle with larger and more difficult numbers. After your child masters a concept, you can always make the numbers larger or more complex. By then, however, your child will have the knowledge and confidence to complete such problems.
Part 1
Securing the Foundation
IN THIS PART …
Becoming your child’s math teacher
Making sense of old and new math
Adding old-school techniques to new math
Subtracting knowledge gaps
Multiplying their skills
Getting across the great divide
Putting together fractional pieces
Getting the point of decimals
Focusing on factors
Chapter 1
Parent, Provider, and Now, Math Teacher
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding old math, new math, and Common Core math
Getting over the fact that old math has worked well for you
Meeting your child’s math needs
Establishing a teaching routine
Understanding the return on your investment of your teaching time
Keeping things positive
Many people have visions of parenthood being the joys of having a family and raising kids. There are visions of vacations on the beach, family barbecues, and happy evenings filled with board games at the kitchen table. Then, life happens. Evenings get interrupted by work calls and emails, work creeps into the weekends, and budgets that looked great on paper, never quite work out. On top of that, your pride about, and excitement for, parent-teacher conferences may get replaced by fear and nervousness at finding out that your child is learning new math and that the word “new” seems to mean only that the math is new to you!
The good news — yes, there is good news — is that you’ve picked up the right book! I get it! Old math may not have been one of your favorite things. In fact, you may worry that you have forgotten more old math than you remember. That’s where this book fits in. It will remind you of, or possibly reteach you, the key old-math concepts. I think you will be surprised by how much you remember! This book will then teach you the new-math techniques you must know, and how to teach those concepts to your kids!
This chapter introduces you to new math — what it is and, more importantly, why you need it. It makes sense of Common Core math and how it relates to new math. Finally, this chapter helps you clarify why you have chosen to put on a math-teacher hat and gives you some pointers and hints to help you succeed.
New Math? What Was Wrong with Old Math?
When I grew up, kids played outside all day, drank water from the hose, and knew to be home before dark. I also learned “old math,” which seems to have worked well for my adult needs. I know how much money I can spend, and how much change I should receive. I can recognize higher prices as well as good deals. If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said that old math was just fine.
That said, things change over time. Many cars no longer stop for gas, but rather, to plug in. Drivers who couldn’t wait to get their learner’s permit when they were young, now look forward to self-driving cars. And teachers have found more effective ways to use math to solve problems.
New math, simply put, provides new ways to solve problems. Carrying and borrowing to add and subtract have been replaced with number lines, and old-school multiplication has been replaced with new techniques that use boxes:
30
7
20
600
140
3
90
21
The good news is that numbers have not changed, and you still use the symbols +, −, ×, and ÷ for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
All of that said, I like the new-math techniques. They are straightforward, they work, and they are fast to use. After you set aside your fears and nervousness, I think you will like them, too!
Starting out, the best tip I can offer you is to be open to new ways of learning — especially if you want to help your child master new math strategies. My goal in presenting the techniques in this book is to make it enjoyable for your child to learn new math with you. The bond you will create with your child is possibly more important than establishing their math foundation for future success.
Old Math, New Math, Common Core Math
I can remember when there was just math. It was the third “R” in Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. Now, when someone uses the word math, you must ask, “Which one: old-school math, new math, or Common Core math?”
Old-school math is the math most of us learned. Like a trusty old pickup truck, old-school math still works. As such, throughout this book, I present many old-school-math techniques that you should teach to your child.
New math includes new ways to add, subtract, and multiply numbers. Like a brand-new, shiny pickup truck, new math also works. Unfortunately, most people are introduced to new math with their child’s homework assignment, which is due the following morning. Fortunately, this book will teach you what you must know to teach your child new-math techniques.
It used to be that smart people in each state would get together and establish the state’s learning curriculum — the things teachers in that state would teach. The problem was that each state’s curriculum was different. What a sixth-grader learned in New York might be different from what a sixth-grader learned in Arizona or Montana. Simultaneously, math scores within the United States were falling. In fact, as of 2015, math scores in the United States had fallen from first to 35th in the world!
In 2009, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers got together to create the Common Core State Standards Association. From that group, Common Core math was born.
If you ask a roomful of educators to comment on Common Core, you will hear a wide range of opinions. Some love it! They want to see standards across grade levels and across the country. Others hate it! They want the government to leave curriculum decisions to the individual states. This book does not debate for either side. Instead, I simply present the math skills these groups identified as important for your child to know and for teachers to teach.
Common Core math encompasses the recommended math concepts that teachers are directed to teach. Because Common Core math includes many new math techniques, many people use the terms interchangeably. That said, not all Common Core math is new math — many old-school math techniques remain.
Meeting Your Child’s Math Needs
I bet you’re thinking, “Great! I can’t wait to learn new math so I can teach it to my child!” It isn’t like you didn’t have anything else to do!
Given that you are reading this book, I know you are at least interested in math, or desperate because you are struggling to help your child solve their homework assignments.
The bottom line is that you can do this. You learned old-school math, and you can learn new math. In fact, you are likely to surprise yourself and amaze your friends with what you know.
If your child is struggling today, it’s likely because they didn’t master the skills in a previous grade level. That problem is easy to solve. This book starts with a review of key math concepts through to fifth grade. You may want to start there. Depending on your child’s age and current skills, you may move through that content quickly. The successes your child will experience will give them greater confidence in their knowledge, and you may find that you’re able to fill in a few key gaps. In any case, if your child is having trouble at their current grade level, you can simply turn back a few pages to a previous grade level and lay a better foundation. Remember, you paid for the entire book. Use it!
INVESTING IN YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE
Math is important. That’s why schools teach math every day in every grade. Kids who do well in math tend to do well in school. Further, kids who do well in school tend to go on to college.
Research has shown that college graduates tend to earn over one million dollars more throughout their career than non-college graduates. That’s a one-million-dollar return on your investment of time to help your child succeed in math.
You may be worried that you are too busy to help your child with math or that you can’t learn new math. Relax. You have the right book. Raising kids can be hard. The good news is that teaching math is not. You can do this!
Creating a Math Routine
Transforming your child into a math whiz takes time and effort. Following are a few tips for creating a solid math routine:
Plan on spending around 15 minutes a day on math with your child.
Try to pick a regular time each day to work with your child to establish consistency.
Try to pick a location that is away from other distractions, such as your television or smartphone.
By establishing a routine, you will find that you can make time, and your child will have the expectation that you will be working together. Knowing that you care about their success is important to your child.
Encouraging Your Child When the Going Gets Tough
Math can be hard, and your child will make mistakes. The key is in how you respond to your child after such errors occur. A positive attitude goes a long way. Be positive about the math problems your child gets right, as well as what they can learn from the ones they get wrong.
When your child makes a mistake, and they will, make the problem the focus by saying, “This is not correct—let’s look at it again,” rather than saying, “You got this wrong.”
Remember, your goal is to build your child’s math confidence and, ideally, their enjoyment of math.
Have fun! You are setting out on an adventure that will forever change your child’s life.
Chapter 2
Adding to What They Already Know
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding mental math
Handling timed addition tests
Practicing addition with carrying (regrouping)
Adding with a number line
Cracking word problems that require addition
There’s an old adage in football that winning teams perform the basics well — meaning, they know how to block and tackle. The same adage applies to math. Whether your child is solving basic math problems or is a math prodigy destined to study advanced calculus, they will always use the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
This chapter focuses on addition. Although some of the topics may feel like review, your goal is to improve your future math whiz’s ability to solve common addition problems mentally — you know, in their heads. In addition (no pun intended), solving math problems mentally will increase their confidence. Take your time with this chapter. Many students who struggle with and thus dislike math do so because they never mastered the basics.
This chapter starts with old-school addition — meaning, your child needs to solve addition problems using carrying (sometimes called regrouping). Then, you switch to using number lines (some new math) to solve addition problems. Finally, your child gets a refresher on solving word problems that require addition. You may remember those: “Two trains leave the station” The good news is that this chapter’s word problems do not have trains.
Note: Before you get started, you should buy some 3x5 index cards and a deck of playing cards.
Solving Addition Problems in Their Heads
You probably know someone who can amazingly solve math problems in their head almost as fast as you can type the problems into your phone’s calculator app. In this section, your child will start to become one of those people.
To start, you create flashcards that you can use to help your child quickly add numbers through 20 in their heads.
Whoever said practice makes perfect was right. The key to success with flashcards is consistent practice. Plan to spend 10 minutes a day reviewing the flashcards with your child until they have mastered all the cards and can quickly solve the addition problems in their head.
Using your 3x5 index cards, create the following flashcards, or, if you are out shopping, you can buy flashcards:
If you want your child to practice the flashcards on their own, write the correct answer on the back of each card so they can quickly check their result.
These flashcards all have results that are in the range 0 to 20. By helping your child master these flashcards, you are laying the foundation they will use when they perform multi-digit addition.
