Math drill is useful at all ages. For younger students there is also an assortment of fun manipulatives that can be used to teach math. This math section is organized beginning with the early years and then moving up to higher skills.(Click on the subpages below for the forms you need.)
Pre-School and Kindergarten
The first step in math instruction is to teach young children to count to ten on their fingers. They should understand that there is a correlation between one finger and the idea of "one" and between two fingers and the idea of "two," etc. When they can count their fingers to ten, try printing out some of these work sheets:
Using pennies, beans or any little objects, show the student how to put the correct number of objects in each square to match the number. The student may also color the correct number of dots in each square. (The numbers on the sheets are random. Work Sheets A and B cover the numbers to ten, and a blank sheet is provided if you would like to add higher numbers.)
Number Booklet Print ten copies of this form. On the first page show the student how to write the number one on the line and color the arrow line up to the number "1". (The next page will feature "2" and so on.) Next the student should draw the correct number of dots or glue the correct number of pre-cut designs to the page. The completed pages may be stapled as a book or kept in the student notebook under the heading "Math."
Numbers to Twenty When the student understands numbers up to ten, he is ready to learn to count up to twenty. Print this form and cut into cards. The student can practice putting them in order and counting aloud with the cards. Another fun game is to put stacks of pennies on each card to match the number.
Handwriting Paper If the child is old enough, he may practice writing all the numbers using the handwriting paper.
Blank Six Square Work Sheet Use this form to practice higher numbers. The teacher writes one number in each square and the student puts the correct number of pennies, beans, or other small objects in each square.
Early Elementary
For early elementary students the goal in math is to learn math facts, using both manipulatives and repetition, until the math facts are known by heart. Try printing some of these work sheets:
Adding One’s, Two’s, and Three’s: Simple addition can be introduced using this page. Students should count on their fingers or with manipulatives at first, but the goal should be to memorize the answer. Young students enjoy using the same work sheet over and over as they gain mastery.
Calendar Kit: At this time, students are also ready to learn about the months and days of the week, and to use a calendar to count. Use the Calendar Kit to print what you need. Teach your student to say the days of the week and to count each day of the month. Each day, have them point to and say the date.
Number Strip. The strips should be cut horizontally apart and each strip of ten numbers should be colored a different color. Next the strips should be taped in order or mounted on a bulletin board so that the student can see the pattern of numbers from 1-100. Show the student how the first digit is a "two" for the twenties, a "three" for the thirties and so on. Each week count farther on the Number Strip until the student can confidently count to 100.
Skip counting is a useful tool for understanding multiplication later. Depending on the age of the student and which numbers you will skip count, print either the Number Cards or the Hundreds Board:
The Number Cards allow students to learn to skip count by two’s to twenty or three’s to thirty. The teacher cuts the cards along the lines, then has the student put them in order. Next the student should color the cards that "count by two’s": two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty. Show the student how to count by two’s by pointing to each number in turn. Practice each day with the student until he can do it by himself. You may also want to point out that these numbers are called "even numbers." Use the same idea to teach skip counting by three’s.
Hundred’s Board: For older students, print the Hundred's Board and have them color all the numbers that are divisible by two. Use a new Hundred’s Board and a different color to color all the numbers that are divisible by three, and so on until you reach twelve. The students will notice interesting patterns which should enhance their memorization of multiplication facts.
Middle Elementary
In the end, only drill and more drill will accomplish the goal of memorizing math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Flash cards and work sheets are provided for this purpose. Try to vary the methods used so that students do not become bored. In the beginning it is best to introduce only a few facts a day. Practice until these facts are firm, then add new facts. For example, it would be reasonable to use flash cards to learn the "two times tables" in one week. The next week the "three times tables" could be added while the two’s are reviewed. Expect to have to review and re-learn!
Once addition is solidly learned, subtraction should be simple since it uses the same facts only in reverse. If your student does not understand this, show him how numbers have "fact families." For example, 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-2=3, and 5-3=2. The same is true of division, once the student has learned multiplication.
Select the drill sheet desired, then print.