Dear 2nd Grade Families,
We will be using Math Baskets as a way to practice math facts throughout the year. Math Baskets are self-pacing,
individualized math activities that help students build computation skills with the end goal being able to recall facts with
automaticity. Each Math Basket focuses on a number that the sums/differences of the problems and will not go over.
For example, if your child is working in basket 11, the sums will not be greater than 11 with any addition problem and the
subtraction problems will not start with a number greater than 11. Each basket level contains games and activities
designed to give the students experiences with addition and subtraction practice with previously learned facts in addition
to ones that focus on their current number. Included are activities to meet the needs of a variety of learning styles.
Game formats are similar from one level to the next in order to provide consistency and ease of use.
In school, students will practice math facts in the form of Math Basket games, flashcards, or iPad math fact apps and
occasionally on math programs in the computer lab. At home, students are expected to practice math facts each night.
Practice may be in the form of flashcards, math apps that focus on fact recall, or by verbal fact practice (adult gives
random facts for student to answer). Students were given a page protector and wipe off marker with two practice tests
(Test A & B) for their Math Basket number. Please do not write on the actual practice tests, but instead use the wipe off
marker on the page protector. Students are encouraged to use these for timed practice tests at home. Students have 5
minutes to complete 48 mixed addition and subtraction problems. Students can take the practice tests multiple times at
home as a way to help them prepare for the tests taken in school. Please return the practice tests so that they can be
reused. Students will also be given a set of flashcards that they will have to cut out for each Math Basket. DO NOT
throw away flashcards when a Math Basket is passed. Add the new set of cards to the pile of facts for continuous
practice of all facts.
Here is the Math Basket process in room 903:
1. Students will be given a five minute timed test every day 5 (starting next cycle). Students must get a 90% or
higher on timed test in order to move to the next basket.
2. When a student passes the timed test they will be given new math facts and practice tests.
3. Students will play Math Basket fact games, practice flashcards, and play math fact apps in school.
4. Students will bring home math facts, cut them out, and write the answers on the back with a pencil (in the
corner). Students should NOT throw away fact cards. Their math fact cards should continue to grow throughout
the entire year.
5. Students will also bring home a Math Basket practice test to be used in their page protector with a dry erase or
wipe off marker. Time students for 5 minutes for a practice test in order to help them gain fluency and accuracy
with facts. This also helps students who have test anxiety. Please return practice tests when a basket is
completed so we can reuse them.
6. Baskets start at +/- 6 and go to +/-18, then x2 through x9, ending with ÷up to 9.
If you have any questions, please feel free to write me a note on the weekly homework chart or send me an email.
Thank you in advance for your support at home with math fact practice. It will become difficult for students to advance to
the next basket as facts become more difficult. 
Sincerely,
Mrs. Melvin
After taking the beginning of the year Math Basket assessment ________________________ is starting on
Math Basket ____________.