Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Math Facts Quiz Show.Watch your children star in the show, once a week, in your kitchen or living room.
Children answer questionsand set goals for the week.
During the week children practice on their own.
Parents watch and provide encouragement.
Hello Parents,
My name is Mitchell Mark. I was a Third Grade Teacher, and a Supervisor of Teacher Education at The University of California at Riverside. I created The Math Facts Quiz Show to:
1) Motivate children to practice and learn essential math facts, at home, on their own.2) Provide parents with a way to encourage children to practice, and stay informed of their progress.
There is no cost. It takes less than five minutes a week.
I see math facts as an opportunity to teach children how to practice. In the process, children learn how to develop grit, perseverance and responsibility.
The show is brand new. I am looking to find out:1) Will parents welcome the opportunity to watch their children perform, and monitor their progress?2) Will children respond by practicing and learning math facts during the week?
If this approach works, it will help children learn math facts and so much more. I hope you try the show with your children. I would be most appreciative for your feedback.Please answer two questions above. You can contact me at: [email protected].
With much appreciation,
Mitch
Why am I obsessed with finding a way to help children learn basic math facts? One reason drives me more than any other:
Children suffer.
They suffer every time they hear their teacher say, “Take out your math books.” They suffer through every homework assignment. Math is so much harder for these children. They fail to grasp new concepts because they lack these essential facts. They fall further and further behind. They develop math anxiety, and that can stay with them their whole lives.
I helped develop many tools to help children learn math facts, including an app, that many consider to be the best on the market. However, the most effective tools will not help children if they do not practice, and if they lack support at home.
How do you get children to practice, and how do you get parents involved? I was pondering those two questions when I devised The Math Facts Quiz Show.
The show is short (four minutes) and simple. There is a brief introduction, followed by a set of essential facts. Children write both the questions and answers. They use the answer key to correct their quiz.
The key ingredient is the audience. Children are the stars of the show. They perform at home, in front of their family. They are the center of attention.
When parents watch, they feel more invested in their children’s progress. When children know they will be watched, they want to do well. This motivates them to practice on their own.
Ideally, the whole family is there, however, this also works if it’s just Mom, watching, while doing the dishes.
After the show, children choose six facts to practice. They also set three goals for the next week: One for persistence, one for effort, and one for achievement.
Children know they will have a chance to reach their achievement goal on next week’s show. That is highly motivating.
The show’s home, studysmart.com, offers free instructional flashcards, and videos on how to practice.
There is a guide for parents, providing ways to encourage and reinforce children’s efforts and progress.
Parents can multiply the attention children receive by recording the event, and sharing it with grandparents, aunts and uncles. This gives extended family members a way to encourage children, and follow their progress.
Not every family will embrace The Math Facts Quiz Show right away, but as more families do, and share their joys, struggles, and celebrations, more and more families will make this a weekly event.
This is an opportunity for children to learn essential math facts, and much more. This is an ideal situation for building grit, perseverance, and study skills. It is an opportunity for parents to help their children develop responsibility, focus, and discipline.
There is no cost. It takes minutes to try. The show can empower children to be their own teacher and coach. It is my hope and intention to make The Math Facts Quiz Show better every week. We will add tips for children and parents. We will add more free videos and tools to the site. We will add contests for children and families. Come join us.
Mitchell Mark was a Third Grade Teacher, and a Supervisor of Teacher Education at The University of California at Riverside.
The story behind The Math Facts Quiz Showby Mitchell Mark
Choose a time. The best way to start a new habit is to attach it so something you do every day. The evening meal is an ideal time, before or after. It’s easier to form a habit if it’s done every day, not just on school days. Help your children set an alarm that goes off at the same time each day. The alarm will remind them to practice.
Give Your Children Four KeysThese keys will help your children do better in school, and in life.
Growth Mind Set
Children with a growth mind-set look at something hard, and think, “I can do this. I will make mistakes along the way, and learn from them.
Giving children the responsibility to practice and learn math facts will help them develop a growth mind-set.
Practice Skills
Grit
Beneficial Habit
Many children do not know how to practice. That is why some children are still counting in Fourth and Fifth Grade. Once children learn how to practice, they can make progress. The video, How to Practice and Learn Math Facts will show them how.
Angela Duckworth defines grit as a perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Grit will help your children be more successful in school, and in anything else they do. Grit can be learned.
Giving children an opportunity to practice math facts every day, and not quit, will help them develop grit.
Beneficial habits are like super powers. They help us get better and better, and we don’t need to think about them. If your children build a five-minute practice habit, they will be able to use that habit to do well in school for years to come.
Parents, watch your children star in The Math Facts Quiz Show.In just four minutes a week, great things can happen:
1) When you watch, your children will want to learn these essential facts. When they want to learn, they will learn.
2) Your children will develop grit, perseverance, and discipline.
3) They will be more confident in math, and in school.
All you do is watch your children, and encourage them.They will make progress. Your support makes all the difference.
Will you continue to watch the show?
❑ Yes. We like the idea, and will continue to watch once a week.
❑ I do not plan to watch.
Parent Signature:____________________________
1 =
2 =
3 =
4 =
5 =
6 =
7 =
8 =
9 =
10 =
11 =
12 =
13 =
14 =
Name: Date: Score:
The Math Facts Quiz Show
InstructionsGo to studysmart.com. Click Go to the Show.Choose Addition, Multiplication, or How Many.Choose 14 questions. If you get 100%, next week choose 28 questions.
Write the question and answer. If you do not know the answer, put a dash in the answer box.
After the last question, an answer key appears.If correct, place a check in the last column.If not correct, write the correct answer.
For next week:Choose six facts to practice. Set three goals. See below.Practice every day. Mark your practice chart.
The Math Facts Quiz Show, a guide for parents, instructional flashcards and videos are all free at studysmart.com.
Next week’s goals: 1) Practice _____ days. 2) Effort (Up to 70): _____ 3) Achievement: _____/_____Facts correct. Examples: 12/14, 28/28Circle six facts to focus on for next week. You can earn 10 effort points a day.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
StartTime Effort*
TotalEffort:
Practice Chart
*After practice, rate your effort, 1-10. 1 = low effort, 10 = high effort.
EndTime
Post on fridge.
1 =
2 =
3 =
4 =
5 =
6 =
7 =
8 =
9 =
10 =
11 =
12 =
13 =
14 =
Name: Date:
15 =
16 =
17 =
18 =
19 =
20 =
21 =
22 =
23 =
24 =
25 =
26 =
27 =
28 =
Score: Parent Signature:
Parents, watch your children star in The Math Facts Quiz Show.
The Math Facts Quiz Show, a guide for parents, instructional flashcards and videos are all free at studysmart.com
During the week, children practice on their own. They record their practice times and effort score on the Practice Chart.
Once a week children participate in the show while you watch. They use the answer form below. When children know you will be watching, they will practice better. You can witness their progress once a week. It takes just a few minutes, and can make a huge difference.
When children finis, they use the key in the video to correct it themselves. Then they set three goals for the following week.
Parents, make this a special time for your children. Put the show on your family’s calendar. Celebrate their progress.
Continue watching your children star in the show once a week during the summer. They will start the new school year primed to succeed!
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
StartTime Effort*
TotalEffort:
Practice Chart
*After practice, rate your effort, 1-10. 1 = low effort, 10 = high effort.
EndTime
Post on fridge.
Next week’s goals: 1)Practice _____ days. 2)Effort (Up to 70): _____ 3) Achievement: _____/_____Facts correct. Examples: 12/14, 28/28Circle six facts to focus on for next week. You can earn 10 effort points a day.
