Going the “Extra” Mile with Math

Way to Go GIRLS!

Every week we give the girls 4 additional math worksheets to complete “on their own time”.  Each sheet for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division contain between 50 to 100 math problems (a total anywhere from 200 to 400 extra problems to compute).  We give them their math sheets in a folder on the weekend and they have until that Friday at 5:00 pm to have all their math sheets finished, checked, and corrected.  The worksheets are to be completed on their own time after homework, chores, and other family activities.

If they get all their extra math worksheets done then they get a special message and a surprise!  We do not remind them of the worksheets or force them to do it.  Every week both girls have worked earnestly after homework or while riding in the car or during free time to complete the worksheets so they can get their special message and surprise.

We have re-useable bags that we set up on the chalkboard with their treat in them.  Typically, the items will be ones we find on clearance that we know they’ll enjoy.  Over the last few weeks we’ve done anything from games, whistle candy, toys, bubbles, chalk, flashlight, crafts and more fun stuff.  On Fridays when they get home they immediately run upstairs to get their message and surprise.

It has been interesting seeing how they have adjusted their activity patterns over the last few weeks.  At the beginning they would do one sheet at the beginning of the week and save the remaining three for Thursday night, which resulted in them hurrying to finish them before Friday.  They are figuring out the advantage of pacing themselves and getting some items accomplished earlier in the week so they are not rushed to get it done.  One time they didn’t get it done before Friday and were disappointed when they came home and no special message or surprise were waiting for them (guess they were really testing us to see if they really had to do the work) so they both sat done immediately and finished up their worksheets before the 5 pm Friday deadline.  They did it and got their reward!

It is really neat seeing how much this activity has motivated them to do extra math exercises on their own time.   They are getting more efficient with their math facts too which will help them for the rest of their lives.  The results have been amazing for our kids.  It may take a little extra time for us to plan and execute, but if it is something that will encourage them to go the extra mile in learning it is worth it.