Dr. Don's HINTS AND TIPS 
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
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What's beyond Division?"
Lots!
Walter asks:
Hi Dr. Don, Our school uses Rocket Math. I have a student who will be finishing Division Z before the school year ends. What should this student go on to next if he finishes early? Thanks!

Dr. Don answers:
Walter,   There are several options beyond division in Rocket Math.  
These programs are part of  item #2000 the $49 Universal subscription. You can click on each of these to see more about them and what they look like. 
We have the  10s, 11s, and 12s in Multiplication and the  10s, 11s, and 12s in Division. Some people really think learning the 10s, 11s and 12s are valuable, and these programs provide a great way to memorize these facts and review the ones already known. Personally, I think knowing up through the 9s is probably sufficient but we have them if you want them.

Another skill that students can start learning after division 1s-9s is how to find all the factors of common numbers. One of the other programs available in the Universal subscription is  Rocket Math Factors. We teach a specific procedure for how to start and how to know when you are done finding all the factors of a given number. I did a  whiteboard lesson on the procedure for factoring available here at educreations. Then I built a program to practice listing the factors of common numbers that builds this skill to a fluent level. Students enjoy getting good at factors and fractions are going to be much easier once these are known.

Another skill that students can start learning after division is  Rocket Math Integers. Students in pre-algebra often find adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers to be difficult and confusing. I have broken this skill down into six component parts and teach two rules which tell students what to do and when. I use vertical number lines to illustrate each problem so that going "up" on the number line is more and going "down" is less. Each type of problem gets practiced first with the vertical number lines and then with a partner and then in a test. There are special rules to set goals no faster than is reasonable.

All of these programs use the same structure as the rest of Rocket Math. There are 26 lettered sets to work through. There are daily practice sessions with a partner who can use answer keys. (Important if only one student is in that program). And of course, there are daily 1-minute timings which can be taken at the same time as everyone else takes their 1-minute timing.  Teachers have reported to me that students are really proud to go "beyond division" and enjoy learning these new and prestigious skills. It will be a draw for other students to pass division as well.

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Twitter posting of first graders doing Rocket Math!


Mrs. Thrasher's 1st Grade class blasting off with Rocket Math and two and three digit addition. Awesome class! 
 
Send me your photos!  
NEW!!  
HOME versions of Rocket Math Apps now available .  
Rocket Math HOME
Addition App
Available in the
FREE  trial to start.
Works the same at the school versions, but with a $2.99 in-app purchase to continue past Level K.
Rocket Math HOME
Multiplication App
Available in the

Video Clip of the Week
HOW TO TUTOR WITH ROCKET MATH!

Procedures are different if you only have one student!

Rocket Math
Addition App
Available in the
and for a 50% discount in Apple's Volume Purchase Plan for Education.
Click to read
the reviews for our Apps:
Rocket Math
Multiplication App
Available in the
and for a 50% discount in Apple's Volume Purchase Plan for Education.
Question of the week
Given some time my students can figure out math facts.

Do Common Core State Standards really expect math fact memorization?



Yes!  Without question, CCSS expects expects students to know math facts "from memory."  
Students should not be counting on their fingers nor having to stop and think about basic math facts.   (I think that boy looks like he is thinking about the answer to 8 plus five, personally.) 

 Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 × 5 = 40, one knows 40 ÷ 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Worksheets alone will not get students to that place--it requires oral rehearsal of math facts until there are no hesitations.  That happens best with the kind of peer practice that Rocket Math is designed to provide.
Click here to see Dr. Don's basic math fact recommended benchmarks to use with Rocket Math to implement the Common Core.

New this week
(Something we just added!)
In the subscription
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Forms and Information Drawer

Scroll down to Achievement Awards

NEW!
Easy-to-print
grayscale Achievement Awards

These six Achievement Awards are available in color, but some of you don't have color printers .  Our first grayscale awards changed the blue skies to gray, and so were still using too much toner.  So, here you have them now without the gray skies.  All six look like this now.  
           By the way, if someone is willing to spend $17 on you be sure to ask for the package of 36 card stock color award certificates, item #2011 available on our website.  Color is better.   
Thank you for your interest in Rocket Math.  I created it to help students be more successful, gain confidence and enjoy math more.  Let me know how else I can help.  Feel free to call me with any questions you have or send me an email to don@rocketmath.com
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Don
Rocket Math
phone (888) 488-4854
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