Before the year ended, I surveyed grade level teams and asked what they wished students would come to their grade knowing. More than one grade expressed an interest in having the students master multiplication. So, while I try to wrap my mind around having 7 different RTI groups a day, I decided to start with something fun and familiar.
When I taught second grade, I had a lot of success with Super Star Skills. I thought I’d vary that slightly and have Super Surfer Multiplication.
If I’m pulling students from other activities, I want them to feel special and excited, not bummed. What is more rewarding than success? I saw my students get so proud to pass a Super Star Skill and earn a paper star to hang on the wall. It wasn’t the star, it was the knowledge that they met a goal.
With multiplication, the goal is clear: memorize all your facts. I created a timed test, flash cards, and games for each factor. Once a student has memorized their facts, they earn a surfboard to hang up and can color in their data chart.
The set includes a timed test for each factor 0-12 and a Gnarly Dude mixed review timed test.
I love having students track their data and monitor their success. I’ve included two options. There is a multiplication chart to color in when a test is passed. What I love about this is that the students can see there are fewer and fewer problems to learn.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to give them colorful reward tags or black and white ones for them to color, so I included both. Simply hole punch the top of the tag and hang it from a ring, chain, or ribbon. I like to put a push pin on a bulletin board next to each child’s name where they can hang their surf boards proudly.
I look forward to using this next year and sharing how it goes. What is your favorite way to help your students memorize their facts?
Karyn says
What a great idea! I love the surfboard idea! I really think kids would love the colored tags!
Karyn
Kideducator@comcast.net