5th Grade Foundations with Miss D.

In my 5th grade classroom, I am big  on foundational skills with my students. Everything we do builds on what they have learned earlier, whether it was at the beginning of this year or something they learned years ago in previous grades.  One big thing that we have been working with this year is multiplication fluency. I've noticed that over the years, students are seriously struggling with basic multiplication facts. When students struggle with these facts, they tend to have a much harder time with more difficult tasks.  I've found that incorporating engaging, low-stakes practice for the students is what is the most helpful. They enjoy practicing their multiplication facts much more when they have the opportunity to "play" with their friends.  Multiplication Squares A main way we practice these skills is through Multiplication Squares. What are they? Think dots and boxes (the game that seemed to be on every restaurant kids menu as I was growing up) but with a math t...