Dear Parents,

We have officially started multiplication! We spent

last week building an understanding of the
multiplication process. The children can build and
explain multiplication problems as grouping, repeated
addition, and as arrays. This foundation should help
them as we move to the next step learning the
multiplication facts.

The Common Core Standards for multiplication state that

students should, fluently multiply and divide within
100. By the end of third grade, students are expected
to know, by memory, all of the basic multiplication
facts. With that goal in mind, we are ready to launch
Monster Multiplication in our room! Monster
Multiplication, also known as M&Ms, are timed
multiplication tests. The students will be given one
minute to complete 20 multiplication problems. Each
M&M focuses on a single fact family the 0s, the 1s,
the 2s, etc. In order to demonstrate mastery and move
on to the next fact, students must receive a 100% on
their M&M timed test. The students will take their
M&Ms three times each week.

We will spend a lot of class time working with each

fact family. As we progress through the multiplication
facts, the students will learn tricks and strategies
for each fact family. Please keep in mind that
memorization of all the facts is our ultimate goal.
The tricks and strategies will help the children when
they come to an unknown fact, but the only way they are
really going to memorize the facts is by repeated
practice.

Although we will spend time working on our math facts

in class, your support at home is very important in
helping your child succeed. I have attached a list of
the strategies that well be using in class, along with
the order that I will use in teaching the facts. Here
are the ways you can help at home:

* The math log will be completely be used to

practice multiplication facts. The goal should be
to practice 10 minutes three times a week.
In an effort to make learning the multiplication facts
as fun as possible, the students have the opportunity
to earn individual and class incentives.

Individual Incentives
*Students will get an eyeball to place on their
multiplication monster. Once their monster is
filled with 12 eyeballs (one for all 12 fact
families), students will be an official Monster of
Multiplication! The Monsters of Multiplication
will celebrate their success with an ice cream
sundae party, targeted to take place during the end
of the fourth quarter. More information will come
home regarding the ice cream party as the date gets
closer. Students will then move on to their
division facts. If they pass all of their division
facts they will receive a mystery surprise at the
end of the year!!!

Class Incentive
*Students will also place an eyeball on our class
monster each time they pass an M&M. The goal is to
completely cover our monster in eyes!

We are looking forward to working with all of our

little monster mathematicians! As always, please
contact us with any questions or concerns.

Mrs. Kulik and Mrs. Robbins

 Tricks and strategies for little monsters to master their multiplication
facts!

Your child will be taking their M&Ms in this

order: x5, x10, x1, x0, x2, x3, x4, x6, x7, x8, x9,
x11, x12. The students know that they will be
taking these tests. Also, keep in mind that we will
try our hardest to get these tests in, but if we
skip a day it is because there is a lot going on in
our classrooms. Notice that the easiest facts
are learned first. Please help your child
experience success by practicing only the facts
that he/she is working on, as well as those facts
already mastered. When using these strategies,
please keep in mind that memorization is the goal,
but it is important to have strategies in place for
when your child cant remember a fact. Youll find
a list of strategies that may be helpful for your
child listed below:
The 0s anything times 0 is 0
Example: 9x0=0; 12x0=0

The 1s anything times 1 is itself

Example: 5x1=5; 11x1=11

The 11s If you know the 1s strategy, then use

it for the 11s! Just double the digit you are
multiplying by 11. The only facts that you will
have to memorize are 11x10=110, 11x11=121, and
11x12=132.

The 2s Think of addition doubles

Example: For 2x3, think 3+3 (2 groups of 3)

The 5s Skip count by 5s (5, 10, 15, 20, 25,

etc.)
Example: For 5x6, skip count by 5s 6 times (5, 10,
15, 20, 25, 30)
The 10s Add a zero to the end of the number
being multiplied by 10
Example: For 9x10, think 9x1=9 and then add a zero
to the 9 to make 90.

The 3s The doubles plus one more

Example: For 3x4, double the 4 to make 8, and then
add one more group of 4 to make 12. For 3x5,
double the 5 to make 10, and then add one more
group of 5 to make 15.

The 4s Think of double doubles or the double

of the double
Example: For 4x3, first double the 3 to make 6,
then double the 6 to make 12. For 5x4, first
double the 5 to make 10, then double the 10 to make
20.

The 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s Build on known facts and

use what you already know. To solve 6x6, use a
fact you know, such as 6x5=30, then add one more
group of 6 to get 36. By the time we get to these
facts, there should be just a few that youll need
to learn.