9/29/08 Doubles & Near Doubles, Reading, Minute Math

Part 1 (Daily Reading Homework): your child needs to read at least 20 minutes every night. Please record what they read, how long they read for and then initial it. Thanks!

Part 2 (Math): We are working on doubles math facts and near doubles math facts. The kids need to start being able to automatically tell us facts such as: 6+6=12 and 5+5=10 without having to spend time working it out with fingers or add on counting. Knowing doubles math facts can be very helpful to young mathematicians! Today in class we worked on using doubles to quickly figure out problems involving near doubles. Since 5+5=10 then 5+6=11 because 5+6 is one more than 5+5 and one more than 10 is 11. Many kids began to quickly answer near doubles questions that we talked about today. Some still want to do add on counting or use their fingers to figure out these problems. Try to help your student see that if they know a double math fact they can quickly figure out a near double math fact. Please have your child complete the math mat and explain to you how they figured out their answers.

Part 3 (Minute Math): This week we are starting minute math. Have your child finish as many of Monday’s problems as they can with a pen in 1 minute. Mark how many they got right in 1 minute at the bottom and then initial. Then have your child finish the unanswered questions with a pencil. This needs to be done every day but does not need to be turned in until Friday. If you have any questions about minute math please contact me.