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HOMESCHOOLIOWA.ORGINTO MATH FACTS PRACTICE
By Crystal Wagner
M
any times I know that my daughters understand the
math concept they have been learning. Through our
discussions and hands-on practice, I know they have
mastered the material. But as soon as I ask them to demonstrate
that knowledge through written math problems, they falter.
I see a deer-in-the-headlights look on their faces. They don’t
know what to do.
For example, one day when my daughter was seven, we had
just completed a math lesson, and based on our discussion,
I knew she understood the concept. So I gave her a correspond-
ing worksheet. And she shut down. She struggled to answer the
problems. I could see her frustration building, so I took the work-
sheet from her and asked her to bounce on the mini trampo-
line while I read the problems to her. As she was bouncing, she
was able to answer every single problem quickly and correctly.
She needed to move while practicing the math facts.
As our story demonstrates, many children are able to un-
derstand mathematical concepts they are not yet ready
to express on paper. Writing answers to math problems
is more advanced than understanding the concept itself.
Removing the worksheet and written math facts allows your
child to focus on the concept without the added stress of writ-
ing the answer as well.
BENEFITS OF INCORPORATING MOVEMENT TO
PRACTICE MATH FACTS
Allows kinesthetic learners to focus
Many children, and especially kinesthetic learners, benefit from
practicing math facts through movement. Instead of spending
their energy translating a math concept into written notation,
their brain is freed to focus on the answer.
Improves retention
Have you noticed that when you say a new phone number you
are trying to memorize out loud repeatedly or sing the number
to a little tune it is easier and faster to memorize it? The same
is true for our children. We want them to master the math facts
and truly understand them. Adding movement to their math
facts practice helps them remember the facts better.
Adds variety
No one likes to repeat the same process day after day.
Even manufacturing plants have tried to incorporate breaks
and variety to break up the monotony so their workers remain
safe. Adding variety to your child’s math facts practice increases
his interest and willingness to complete the
math lesson.
WAYS TO INCORPORATE MOVEMENT TO
PRACTICE MATH FACTS
There are many ways you could incorporate move-
ment when practicing math facts, but it can be difficult to
think of them in the middle of a math lesson. The following sug-
gestions are simple ways to add movement to your child’s math
facts practice. With each suggestion, you could create your own
problems based on the concept your child is currently practicing
or use problems from his current worksheet.
BENEFITS OF INCORPORATING
“SHE NEEDEDTO
MOVE
WHILE
PRACTICINGTHE MATH FACTS.”
MOVEMENT