The Math Facts Quiz Show This simple, cost-free quiz show, can motivate children to practice at home. A Tale of Two Quizzes A child takes a quiz in school. The teacher collects it, corrects, and return it to the child. Parents may glance at the quiz, or they may not see it at all. Children participate in the show at home, while a parent watches. Parents watch their children answer each fact. They are invested in their children’s progress. Children practice more when they know a parent will be watching. Teachers can continue their present approach to math facts. The show is once a week. An assignment children like. Once a week teachers give students a Math Facts Quiz Show answer form. Students complete the form while watching the show. A parent signs the form. Students brings it back to school. Children benefit. Children benefit when parents pay attention. Children benefit when they work towards a set goal. On a the show, children do not have enough time to count and answer. This helps them break their counting habit. Children also benefit from finding out how they did as soon as they finish. Finally, children learn to perform under pressure, in a safe environment. Classroom tool. Teachers can play the show in class. Students get immediate feedback. There is nothing to collect or correct. New shows for addition, multiplication, and number fluency are posted every week at studysmart.com. Other benefits. 1) Children hear, see, and write both question and answer. 2) When children pass other tests, they stop seeing those facts. The show presents the same facts, in a different order. This constant review leads to mastery. Practice Chart Children identify three goals for the week, and keep track of their practice times. A Summer to Remember. If you start the show now, children and parents can continue to work together during summer break. Instead of forgetting facts during vacation, children will return to school ready to excel. Two answer forms The first one is for getting feedback from parents. The second one is one you can use on a weekly basis. You can test this approach in minutes. 1) Send home the The Math Facts Show answer form. 2) See if parents like the idea. 3) See if your students make progress.
Transcript
The Math Facts Quiz ShowThis simple, cost-free quiz show, can motivate children to practice at home.
A Tale of Two QuizzesA child takes a quiz in school. The teacher collects it, corrects, and return it to the child. Parents may glance at the quiz, or they may not see it at all.
Children participate in the show at home, while a parent watches. Parents watch their children answer each fact. They are invested in their children’s progress. Children practice more when they know a parent will be watching.
Teachers can continue their present approach to math facts. The show is once a week.
An assignment children like.Once a week teachers give students a Math Facts Quiz Show answer form. Students complete the form while watching the show. A parent signs the form. Students brings it back to school.
Children benefit.Children benefit when parents pay attention. Children benefit when they work towards a set goal. On a the show, children do not have enough time to count and answer. This helps them break their counting habit. Children also benefit from finding out how they did as soon as they finish. Finally, children learn to perform under pressure, in a safe environment.
Classroom tool.Teachers can play the show in class. Students get immediate feedback. There is nothing to collect or correct.
New shows for addition, multiplication, and number fluency are posted every week at studysmart.com.
Other benefits.1) Children hear, see, and write both question and answer.
2) When children pass other tests, they stop seeing those facts. The show presents the same facts, in a different order. This constant review leads to mastery.
Practice Chart Children identify three goals for the week, and keep track of their practice times.
A Summer to Remember.If you start the show now, children and parents can continue to work together during summer break. Instead of forgetting facts during vacation, children will return to school ready to excel.
Two answer formsThe first one is for getting feedback from parents.The second one is one you can use on a weekly basis.
You can test this approach in minutes.1) Send home the The Math Facts Show answer form.2) See if parents like the idea.3) See if your students make progress.
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
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Parents, watch your children star in The Math Facts Quiz Show.
Once a week, for four minutes, children participate in the show while you watch. They use the answer form below.
When children finish, they use the key in the video to correct their quiz. Then they set three goals for the following week.
Which best describes your thoughts about the show?
❑ Excellent. I think this is going to help my child develop discipline and study skills.
❑ Lots of potential. It may take my child some time to adjust, but I think it’s worth the effort.
❑ I do not think this is a good approach.
Please sign this form and return it to your child’s teacher.
Instructional flashcards and videos are 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.
The Math Facts Quiz Show is at studysmart.com.
Instructions Start the video. 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.
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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!
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StartTime Effort*
TotalEffort:
Practice Chart
*After practice, rate your effort, 1-10. 1 = low effort, 10 = high effort.
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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.
10 Reasons for Parents to Watch their Children in
The Math Facts Quiz Show.Once a week, watch your children star on this new show.
1) When you watch, you send your children the message: You think math facts are important.
2) Your children will be more likely to practice and learn math facts on their own.
3) Your children will develop grit, perseverance, and an ability to perform under time pressure.
4) You can record your children taking their quiz, and share it with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Your children will appreciate the additional support. Your extended family will get to follow your children’s progress.
5) It takes just a few minutes a week. There is no cost.
6) Younger children, they can watch their siblings. Older children, they can support their siblings.
7) The skills your children gain will help them do better at learning other things (school, sports, etc).
8) Your children will be more confident in math. They will finish their homework faster.
9) This can be a special time for your whole family. Your children will remember it years from now.
10) Watching your children participate in The Math Facts Quiz Show is far more meaningful than watching strangers play a sport, or compete on a quiz show.
A Summer to RememberIf you continue to watch your children and the show once a week, instead of forgetting over the summer, they will return for the new school year, sharper than ever, ready to excel.
Watch The Math Facts Quiz Show once a week at studysmart.com
Parents, your children may or may not be stars on the soccer field. They may not have a big role in the school play, but they can be the center of attention on The Math Facts Quiz Show. You can be their biggest fan. To host The Math Facts Quiz Show at your house:
1) Come up with a day of the week, and a time. Put it on your family calendar.2) Start with 14 questions. When your children get 100%, advance to the quiz with 28 questions.3) When children finish, they correct the quiz, and set goals for the next week. 4) Encourage your children to practice on their own during the week. Have a celebration when your children learn all 28 facts. Ask them how they would like to celebrate.
At studysmart.com, there are free instructional flashcards, a video on how to practice, and a guide for parents.
Parents, challenge your children to master 28 essential math facts this summer. At studysmart.com, children can:
1) Print instructional flashcards.2) Watch the video, “How to Practice and Learn Math Facts.”3) Watch The Math Facts Quiz Show.
If children practice math facts for a few minutes a day, at the end of the summer they will:• Arrive at school prepared to be successful in math.• Be grittier. Children develop perseverance, discipline, and responsibility.• Be confident. Math is lot easier when you know your facts.
If you watch your children star in the show, once a week, it will motivate them to practice.You can view and print a short guide for parents at StudySmart.
Make this a Summer to Remember
Goals for a Summer to RememberIf your answers do not fit, use another piece of paper.
_________________________Why do you think it is important to practice math facts over the summer?________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________How do you plan to practice your facts this summer?________________________________________________________________________________
