Students completed their unit on multi-digit multiplication with a chapter test last week. Check back in a few days to find out the class average. We went into the test knowing that many of the students still do not have mastery, and after much analysis and discussion, we believe we know why. First of all, even at this late date in the year, many of our students still do not know their times tables. Students should exit third grade with the tables committed to memory. Students who don’t know them should be spending time at home practicing on their own. Secondly, we’ve had a rash of students of late who are not completing their homework. The homework is designed to provide practice for the skills taught each day in class. Students who do not complete it are not getting sufficient practice. If your child did poorly on the chapter test, look first to these two areas in order to guide your student toward future success, It’s no surprise that the students who did well on the test know their multiplication facts and routinely complete their homework. This week, students are moving on to long division, where memorization of the math facts and homework practice are even more essential. Here’s the homework for this week: Wednesday, May 26; Thursday May 27; Friday, May 28. By completing their homework, students earn points for their mathketball team . . . and here’s an added bonus. The first five students to quietly approach Mr. Lewis and whisper the answer to 6 x 7 will earn an extra two points for their team.