Let's start with what doesn't work for a struggling student — MEMORIZING.

I was once told by a learning specialist that to memorize one fact, a student would have to repeat it 120 times. There are 54 addition facts. There are 100 subtraction facts. There are 54 multiplication facts. There are 90 division facts. That's 298 facts times 120 equals 35,760 memory steps to mastering basic math facts if you reply on memory alone.

What does work:

• showing the student the system involved in math. This is how you will teach multiplying and dividing.
• use known facts to teach unknown facts.
• use 'tricks' or techniques instead of hoping they will eventually memorize the math fact. It is a matter of speed in retrieving a math fact not the ability to memorize that is important.

See our Teaching Resources for Math for teaching and practice worksheets.

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