Me, again!

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Home : 2002 : January : 29

Me, again!
By Leigh

Apparently this "slow problem" is not just me, although at my school, they just seem to gravitate towards my classroom.

In response to the 100 facts in 5 minutes, that is not something I just thought up. It is a district
policy. The children who do not meet up to that standard have to meet with the principal for a chat. Third graders have until mid March to pass the timed test. Personally, I think this is good for them. However, what gets me (and I know this is getting off the subject of my slowpokes), we are supposed to teach with manipulatives and games and build the concept of multiplication.

This is what they need. However, in order to beat this timed test, we don't have time for experimentation with the meaning of multiplication. We are having to do drill and practice, and this does not go over well on an observation. They always push higher level thinking skills, but spitting back multiplication facts that fast is memory work. So, my solution, teach both ways (and pray I won't be observed when we do drill and practice...and pray harder that my kids can pass the speed test). My latest "idea", I told my slow pokes that if they passed their timed speed drill, I would cut a cartwheel. Not very professional, but if it works, I don't really care.