An issue that we find is arising here in our area is that many students don’t have strong enough basic math facts. Several years ago the government adjusted the curriculum and there was a major emphasis placed on math communication, language in math and seeking multiple solutions in math. These are all very important however the pendulum seemed to shift completely away from the old school days of drill and kill math facts. As a grade 8 team we often find that we are teaching more advance concepts to students who are struggling with the new concepts because their lack basic facts skills is getting in the way. It’s hard to complete advanced formulas when you can’t complete some of the simple arithmetic that is associated with them. There has to be a happy medium and I think the issue is now being recognized as we are starting to get new communication from our ministry of education.
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My youngest son is in the 8th grade and is experiencing the same challenges. He is struggling with to complete the advanced formulas because his foundation is not solid. The schools no longer do the "drill and kill" math facts as you call them. So he struggles sometimes with basic multiplication and division when working these formulas.
It makes it difficult for them for sure. The worry for me is the level of frustration that the student begins to feel. The best thing to help is to try to incorporate some repetitive practice. That combined with some understanding of the why in terms of how the basic operations work can lead to more success. Its only going to get more difficult as high school starts.