Workshop 7

Mastering the Basic Facts of Multiplication and Division by Mental Computation

From research on how students learn mathematics, fluency with basic number combinations develops from knowing the meaning of the operations and a focus on thinking strategies.  (Thornton, NCTM, page 390; Issacs and Carroll, NCTM, page 386.)  With our modeling methods, the skill of visualization, and a student workbook that guides students through the learning process, mastery of the basic facts of multiplication and division will easily be achieved by all students by the end of 3rd grade.

Concepts taught at this workshop are mapped to student expectations from Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, 2000, page 392.

Students will:

• represent the many conceptual meanings of multiplication and division using physical models, drawings, mathematical notations,, and real-world experiences;
• represent various thinking strategies using physical models, drawings, and mathematical notations;
• compute fluently the basic facts of multiplication and division and evaluate multi-digit calculations.

Who Should Attend This Two Day Workshop?  2nd - 5th grade teachers and all support staff.  Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers are also encouraged to attend.

Teachers will receive:  student dictionary with workbook, game book, classroom wallboards

Please bring:    deck of cards, 2 inch 3-ring binder, black permanent marker, 50 unlined 3 by 5 cards, 5 self-sealing bags, 10 rubber bands, 25 popsicle sticks, paper clips