Your child will study addition and subtraction facts throughout the year. The treatment of the basic math facts in Math Trailblazers differs from traditional textbooks. We encourage students to use strategies to solve math fact problems, rather than rely on rote memorization. Researchers have found that this approach increases learning and retention.
In this unit, your child’s work on the subtraction facts includes discussions of strategies, work with flash cards, and a game.
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Activities. Students will find a need to learn the facts as they use them
to solve problems in labs and activities.
• Flash Cards. Your child will work with flash cards that have been organized into eight small groups of facts. Help your child practice with the flash cards for Groups 1 and 2 at home.
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Games. Students practice the facts while playing games. Encourage your
child to show you these games or challenge him or her to play a game with you.
• Daily Practice and Problems. Students solve problems that review or practice math concepts and skills including periodic practice with small groups of facts.
As you work with your child on the math facts, ask him or her to describe the strategies that were used to find the answers.
The mathematics curriculum is designed so that students can work toward the goal of learning the basic math facts while at the same time learning more complex mathematics. In this way, math remains meaningful to the student. During the first half of third grade, students review the subtraction facts and learn to use strategies for the multiplication facts.