The World's Hardest Multiplication Fact

According to researchers in Great Britain, the most difficult basic multiplication fact for students to learn is
8 x 6. It's tempting to haul out the flash cards and have the kids go over their facts again and again until you have the facts drilled into their brains. But the reality is that 8 x 6 isn't hard at all if you let go of rote memorization and teach for understanding.

A good place to start is with The Best of Times by Greg Tang. He presents the times 8 facts as doubling three times. So I begin by reading the book to the class. Now as much as I love Greg Tang's work, the illustrations in his books can be a little confusing. I like to show the math problems in a more straight forward way because it makes the underlying concept more clear. I will show various multiplication problems as a table.

Here is the table for 8 x 6:

This makes the concept of doubling three times more clear. So 8 x 6 is 8 groups of 6.

6 + 6 = 12, 12 + 12 = 24, and 24 + 24 = 48.

Greg Tang also has a web site for students to practice math. There are many online sites for practicing math facts. I prefer Tang's site because he focuses on the underlying concepts rather than just rote memorization.

Care Packages for Vets

A special way to remember our veterans is to have your class send a care package. I especially like Books for Soldiers because it highlights the idea that books are important. If you have some reluctant readers who think that books aren't for "tough guys", here is a great way to do some good and dispel a stereotype. You can go to the site to look up specific requests. Be sure to include a letter of thanks from your class. 

Building Vocabulary Is More Than Just Words

We often hear about the word gap in which children from disadvantaged households come to school knowing many fewer words than do middle class children. It is tempting to react to this by creating a list of words for students to memorize, but learning vocabulary is about more than just words. It is about communication skills and building knowledge about the world.

This clip gives better insight in how to help children build their vocabulary.

Connecting to Vets

While there are a number of fun activities that you can share with your class this Veteran's Day, I believe that the best way to honor our veterans is by helping your students make a personal connection. Have your students write to a service man or woman. Bring a veteran in to speak to your class.

I remember many years ago when I invited a World War II veteran to speak to my sixth grade class. It was the most inspiring speech I have ever heard. He had been captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Japan where he experienced terrible hardships. He spoke of the day when the prisoners woke up and the guards were gone; The allies had won the war. They managed to signal some American planes, and supplies were dropped to the camp. Among the supplies was an American flag.  He explained that they valued the flag even more than the food. "The food meant that we would stay alive. But so many of us had died. The flag meant that the country would live, and our sacrifice had meaning." He ended his talk by telling us that he had no anger or bitterness against his captors.

Actually meeting a soldier can bring the meaning of Veteran's Day alive for your students.

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day will be here on November 11. Veteran's Day used to be known as Armistice Day and was established to commemorate the end of World War I. The name was changed after the Second World War. In countries that are part of the British Commonwealth it is known as Remembrance Day.

The net has some great Veteran's Day lesson plans. You can also print off posters and worksheets. There are online games for early elementary an well as games for older students. 

My personal favorite Veteran's Day activity is to have students make cards or packages for soldiers who are currently serving or for disabled or elderly veterans. You can locate veteran's facilities here.

What Does Common Core Math "Look Like"?

The Common Core math standards are very different from what we have been used to teaching in more traditional math programs. Another problem is that a number of commercial math programs are trying to cash in by labeling themselves as Common Core aligned without really providing instruction that follows the new guidelines. That's why I was pleased to find the Illustrative Mathematics website. It is a nonprofit online resource. This has some of the best Common Core math materials that I have come across. It lists both the practice standards and the grade level standards along with suggested lessons. Best of all, it gives clear examples of what proficiency on each standard should look like. It includes videos of students demonstrating what learners should be able to do to show mastery of each standard.