Math Strategies
McGraw-Hill/Contemporary
Maxine McCormick
Maxine_mccormick@mcgraw-hill.com
Where it Started
• Not memorizing the Multiplication Tables is
the downfall of many students
• How can we help our students memorize
the tables keeping the 7 chunks of
information rule of learning?
• Are there any shortcuts to memorizing the
tables?
• Do flash cards help?
7 Chunk Rule
• Most student know their 1,2,5,10,11 times
tables
• We will show them the short cut to the 9’s
• We only have the students learn the ones
they don’t know in chunks of seven
• Start with the three’s
• 3x3, 3x4, 3x6, 3x7, 3x8, 3x12
• Get index cards to create flash cards
Times Tables
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When they know these, start the 4’s
4x4, 4x6, 4x7, 4x8, 4x12
Now the six times tables
6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x12
Sevens 7x7, 7x8, 7x12
Eights 8x8, 8x12
Elevens 11x11, 11x12
12x12 Practice, Practice, Practice
Speed is the Key
• When a student has to spend unnecessary
energy figuring out times tables the
fraction problem gets too complicated.
• We use the times tables in almost every
fraction operation
• Word Problems become impossible
because this now requires reading, step
application, and times tables
• Time is of the essence
Difficult Concepts
• Decimals are easier to learn than fractions teach
this skill right after memorizing times tables
• Division and multiplication of decimals gives
practice to the times tables without too much
complication
• Give three simple rules
• In add and sub – Line everything to the decimal
point
• In mult - Count the place values behind the
decimal point and move the decimal that amount
to the left
Decimals
• In div – Keep the divisor a whole number
what you move on one side you must
move in the other
• Practice word problems now
• Don’t Wait Till They Learn All The Math
Concepts
• Make sure you use consumer math and
money management in you problems
System for Word Problems
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5 Step Model
1. Identify the Question
2. Gather All the Facts
3.Decide Which Math Operation to Use
4. Find an Answer
5. Compare Your Answer to the Question
Fractions
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The Meaning of Fractions First
Add and Subtract Concepts next
Word Problems
Then Introduce Mult and Division
Invert Rule is a Must
Word Problems
Don’t rush teaching fractions. It requires
time tables, processing, and complex rules
Percents
• Part, Whole, 100%, ?
• Teach the Fill in the Blank Rule. It’s the
cleanest and easiest rule to remember
• Part
Part%
• Whole X 100%
• ? May be in any spot except the 100% It’s
a constant
• Cross multiple and divide by the ?
Numeration, Geometry, Algebra
It’s important to teach Numeration first
Vocabulary and Concepts first
I would teach Geometry next. It’s more
concrete and a good way to introduce
formulas.
Word Problems and meaningful problems
Then on to Algebra
Teach add and sub separate from mult and
div rules.
Think About Using Printable SAMS
• Gives 40 questions per skill on all levels of
TABE
• Can reproduce as many as you want
forever
• Gives practice to take home without taking
a book
• Is designed like TABE so the student get
great assessment practice for progress