Math Star 1.12.15

Summer Math Packets

Dear Howard Parents and Students,

For those of you that have previously used the Middle School math packets, this year's packets will look a little different. Rather than assigning students a particular packet to work on based on their math group, this year we have decided to send home two complementary packets. The intention is for students to work on problems from either packet for approximately 20 minutes at a time, and to only do the problems that the student feels is attainable. Parents and tutors are welcome to help students when they are struggling, but the goal is to maintain existing skills and increase fact fluency, rather than master new material.

Both of the packets start off with addition and subtraction. The red packet starts out with addition and subtraction computation, and the blue packet begins with word problems that utilize addition and subtraction. Parents are encouraged to consider their child's comfort level with word problems when determining which entry point is most appropriate.

The packets can be download from the Howard School Math Lab blog by clicking here (Red Packet and Blue Packet) and clicking on the Blue and Red summer math packet links respectively.

Please feel free to contact Nick Ray at nray@howardschool.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great summer!

Mr. Ray 

Math Packet Cover sheet and Progress Chart

Here's a link to the cover sheet that was sent out with all Summer Math Packets.  Here, you'll also find the progress chart.  Hopefully this will help for those who have already misplaced their packets.

Math Packet Cover Page and Progress Chart

Find your Math teacher's name at the right and you'll find a link to the packet that you should be working from for the summer.

We hope you're already off to a great start.  We, your teachers are still at work!  Summer officially starts later today!!

Don't Worry ... Be Mathy!

So, by now you've gotten your Summer Math Packet.  Below is an excerpt from the recent email sent out by Mr. Broyles.

"Summer Math Packet

These were sent home in hard copy today.  The instructions should be clear.  If not, email me [abroyles@howardschool.org].  In addition to what your child worked on this year, we included content a little beyond in case you want to go further, are working with a tutor, etc.  We strongly recommend doing a little each week to keep the skills alive."

I would also add this about our thinking in generating this packet, and giving it to you.  

The idea is not that you have a massive, homework assignment that ruins your summer, or causes stress and/or strife.  Your math grade will not suffer at the beginning of the year, if you don't get this all done (although, you may find that the next year of math might go better if you spend some time on it over the summer).  This should give you a resource to use for practice, so that skills you've worked hard to gain are not lost.  It is meant to give you an easy way to keep your mind working on math.   The links on this page should also provide you opportunities to have some fun while doing math.   The progress chart is meant to help keep track of the work (or play) you are doing, and also show next year's teachers  what you've done to keep your math active.

Happy Mathing!

My Top 10 Apps list

I've been wanting to get this out for some time.  Finally here it is ...

In addition to a google search for "math apps for iPad" ... these are my "top 10 free and inexpensive apps for math".

In no particular order ...

1. Math Tappers - there are actually 7 different apps that are associated with this suite of visual / interactive fact and skill practice games

2. Addition Blocks - a fairly addictive game of basic addition facts

3. Factor Samurai - slash the prime numbers only!

4. Montessori - some cost a little more than other games, but these are all good - my 2 favs are sequencing and place value

5. Zoom - not the TV show you remember for our childhood - this is about sequencing and scale

6. Everyday Math - also a suite of 5 games (number sequencing, addition, multiplication, divisibility, and fractions)

7. Singapore Math - another suite of apps - some by grade level focused on bar modeling for word problems - best one is RocketSolver - don't bother with the grade 6!

8. ShutoutHD - this is the iPad version of "Shut the Box"

9. Monkey Math - standard favorite - just what it sounds like - early skills for young ones

10. Glow Burst - pop bubbles in sequence, but theres a little more to it ...

Please look to the right of the page to find sections of links to on-line activities.  There are some that are suitable for most students who will be in the Middle School or Transition Classes.  They are grouped together at the top.  Below these, please look for the teacher of the group that you were in for the 2012-2013 school year.  The games, other activities and resources listed and linked there are suitable practice for the skills worked on during the year, and should help keep you ready to start the year in August.