XtraMath is one program we are using to help students develop and practice math fact fluency.
XtraMath is a free online program that focuses strictly on math fact fluency. XtraMath helps students transition from counting or calculating the basic math facts to recalling them. Recalling math facts instead of calculating them frees up mental resources for higher-level operations.
Students each complete one round daily in the classroom on one of four iPads we are rotating through. The rounds are quick (less than 10 minutes). It is recommended that they complete only one round each day, but feel free ato have your children complete a round on the weekend so you can see how the program works.
A few weeks ago you received a letter with a brief explanation and a code to link your email with the account. You should be receiving weekly reports with your child's progress. When you look at the report, it is helpful to know what the dots mean: Green means the student got less than 10% wrong. Yellow means between 10% and 25% wrong. Red means over 25% wrong. Blue dots indicate an incomplete XtraMath session. Students that regularly get red dots should be encouraged not to guess at answers. If they cannot confidently remember the answer they should do their best to calculate or count the answer.
I also receive a weekly report which gives me a nice, quick insight as to the progression of students fact fluency. If students are consistently getting a red dot. I will remind them to slow down and focus on getting the facts correct first and that speed will come as they become more proficient. I may also change their program to give them more time. (The regular provides students 3 seconds per fact, and the extended program allows them 6 seconds.)
Once students finish the regular program they have some choices. Students can move onto the advanced programs in which they need to complete addition and subtraction facts in 2 or 1.5 seconds. This is the program I typically recommend. As stated above, the quicker the recall, the easier it will be for them to complete higher-level operations. This is especially important this year as we move into multiple digit addition and subtraction with regrouping.The other option is to move onto multiplication and division. Students develop the basic concept of how these operations works in the early grades, but mastery of the facts is not expected until they begin grade 3.
The "Help" section on the XtraMath site is great! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions regarding this program.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
International Dot Day 2014
Update! Here's our video:
It's International Dot Day! What does that mean?! Let me try to explain.
You can also check out all the famous authors, illustrators, and celebrities who have participated by checking out their dots at Celebri-dots!
Today we will start by watching The Dot on Fablevision's Big Screen Books, narrated by the one and only Peter H. Reynolds.We will also watch an author visit with Peter in which he will explain his inspiration for The Dot and how he was encouraged and inspired as a student.
After that, students will be given an opportunity to paint or draw dots (or whatever else they choose) using water colors, or crayons and markers while they have their snacks.
We will also be reading the other two books from Peter's "Create-trilogy", Ish and Sky Color, both of which deliver messages just as inspiring and special as The Dot. I only have video trailers, but they are definitely worth checking out!
Another fun activity we will do today uses a cool app for mobile devices:
http://fablevisionlearning.com/blog/2013/08/dot-day-fun-watch-your-dot-come-to-life-in-amazing-3d-in-the-colar-app/
To do this, you use this app:
Click on the picture to see a video about other coloring fun you can have with the app! *Some are paid and some are free
Here's the dot that I colored:
And HERE it is in 3D!
How cool is that?! I can't wait for the kids to see their work in 3D!
Later in the day, I will show them a cool video from Steve Spangler science that you can watch here: Sharpie Tie-dye video. Then the kids will get to work on their very special dot tee-shirts! I'll be sure to post photos!
We will also be making a collaborative dot to display and students will write about how they hope to make their mark on the world.
Today is about so much more than drawing dots. I hope by now you see that it is about inspiring students to not be fearful when trying something new, about encouraging them when they think they can't or when something doesn't come out exactly as they envisioned. It's about focusing not on what they CAN'T do, but rather on what they CAN. It's about combining language arts, science, technology, math, and art. Here's a Peter poster that I love that helps sum it up...
One last note for the moment-if you and your child would like to meet Peter, he is often at his family store, The Blue Bunny, in Dedham, MA. This Saturday, he and his twin brother, Paul, will be having a signing for a book on which they collaborated called Sydney and Simon: Full Steam Ahead. Here are the event details: book signing. I hope to see some of you there!
It's International Dot Day! What does that mean?! Let me try to explain.
If you haven't read The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, I strongly recommend it! (You can also watch it here: The Dot). It is one of those children's picture books that is simple, yet inspiring, and delivers a strong message to both children and adults! That is why there are now over 1,744,529 people worldwide celebrating The Dot with us! Last year, it was even celebrated on the International Space Station! To learn more about this (and Emily and my very cool experience meeting Colonel Hadfield), go to my older blog post here: The Dot in Space.
To learn more about the origins of IDD, go here: The Dot Club.You can also check out all the famous authors, illustrators, and celebrities who have participated by checking out their dots at Celebri-dots!
Today we will start by watching The Dot on Fablevision's Big Screen Books, narrated by the one and only Peter H. Reynolds.We will also watch an author visit with Peter in which he will explain his inspiration for The Dot and how he was encouraged and inspired as a student.
After that, students will be given an opportunity to paint or draw dots (or whatever else they choose) using water colors, or crayons and markers while they have their snacks.
We will also be reading the other two books from Peter's "Create-trilogy", Ish and Sky Color, both of which deliver messages just as inspiring and special as The Dot. I only have video trailers, but they are definitely worth checking out!
Another fun activity we will do today uses a cool app for mobile devices:
http://fablevisionlearning.com/blog/2013/08/dot-day-fun-watch-your-dot-come-to-life-in-amazing-3d-in-the-colar-app/
To do this, you use this app:
Click on the picture to see a video about other coloring fun you can have with the app! *Some are paid and some are free
Here's the dot that I colored:
And HERE it is in 3D!
How cool is that?! I can't wait for the kids to see their work in 3D!
Later in the day, I will show them a cool video from Steve Spangler science that you can watch here: Sharpie Tie-dye video. Then the kids will get to work on their very special dot tee-shirts! I'll be sure to post photos!
We will also be making a collaborative dot to display and students will write about how they hope to make their mark on the world.
Today is about so much more than drawing dots. I hope by now you see that it is about inspiring students to not be fearful when trying something new, about encouraging them when they think they can't or when something doesn't come out exactly as they envisioned. It's about focusing not on what they CAN'T do, but rather on what they CAN. It's about combining language arts, science, technology, math, and art. Here's a Peter poster that I love that helps sum it up...
One last note for the moment-if you and your child would like to meet Peter, he is often at his family store, The Blue Bunny, in Dedham, MA. This Saturday, he and his twin brother, Paul, will be having a signing for a book on which they collaborated called Sydney and Simon: Full Steam Ahead. Here are the event details: book signing. I hope to see some of you there!
Oh, I almost forgot! Enjoy the new song! :)
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
First Day of School!
The first day of school is always so exciting! Hopefully, you all have happy children excited to learn coming home today! Here are a couple of fun pics we took this afternoon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
