Basic Skills is a program in which we support the reading, writing and math instruction in the classroom. Repetition and extra practice encourage success.

The Basic Skills Math program supports the Everyday Mathematics program which is used in your child's classroom. It is an activity-centered program which stresses problem solving and is designed to help your child learn a wide range of mathematical concepts as well as insure knowledge of basic arithmetic skills. Real-life mathematical experiences are stressed with the understanding that there is often more than one way to solve problems. Within each strand of the mathematics program, children have many experiences in a wide variety of contexts which enable them to construct knowledge.

Instead of practice presented in a single, tedious drill format, children practice basic skills in a variety of more engaging ways. In addition to completing daily review exercises covering a variety of topics, children play games that are specifically designed to develop basic skills.

To enhance the development of basic skills and concepts, children regularly revisit previously learned concepts and repeatedly practice skills encountered earlier. The lessons are designed to take advantage of previously learned concepts and skills and to build on them throughout the year instead of treating them as isolated bits of knowledge.

Topics cover in first grade include number formation, one-to-one correspondence, counting, tallies, telling time to the hour and half hour, identifying and counting coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters), number stories, and basic addition and subtraction facts.

Topics covered in second grade include telling time to the five minutes; elapsed time; reading, counting, and ordering numbers from 100-1000; counting coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters) and making change; making up and solving number stories; basic addition and subtraction facts; place value; addition of two-digit numbers using the partial sums algorithm; subtraction of two-digit numbers using the trade first algorithm.

Everyday Math is a research-based curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project and is used in grades K-5 in the Upper Saddle River schools. Please visit the Everyday Math website for further information: http://everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents/index.shtml

Click on the following website for more math activities: www.thekidzpage.com/learninggames/learningonline.htm

June Do-Anytime Activities

To work with your child on previously taught concepts, try these interesting and rewarding activities:

Grade 1

1. Ask questions, such as the following: What is the fraction word for each of 4 equal parts of something? (fourths) Each of eight equal parts? (eighths)

2. Give your child several pieces of paper to fold into halves, fourths, or eighths. She/he can label each part with the appropriate fraction symbol (1/2, 1/4, 1/8).

3. Using a set of numbers, have your child write the largest and smallest 2- or 3-digit number. Then have your child identify the actual value of the digit in each place. For example, in the number 952, the value of the 9 is 900, the value of the 5 is 50, and the value of the 2 is 2 ones, or two.

Grade 2

1. Review common multiplication shortcuts. Ask, for example: What happens when you multiply a number by 1? By 10? Use pennies to show that 2 x 3 pennies is the same as 3 x 2 pennies.

2. At a restaurant or while grocery shopping, work together to estimate the bill.

3. Take turns making up multiplication and division number stories.

4. Together, make up multi-digit addition and subtraction number stories to solve. Share solution strategies.

5. Continue to ask the time. Encourage alternate ways of naming time, such as twenty to nine for 8:40 and half-past two for 2:30.

6. Continue to review and practice basic facts for all operations.