Free Mental Math Classes
Sponsored by Ms. Mallory (MS) & Mr. Tom (Upper El)
Based on: the video lecture series: The Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin
AND the book Secrets of Mental Math by Arthur Benjamin.
(Lower Elementary students will require recommendation of their teacher.)
What:
12- one hour mental math sessions:
When:
Every Thursday, beginning on Thursday, February 19th thru Thursday, May 14th
3:30 P.M. to 4: 30 p.m. IN Classroom D-6 (Middle School)
Who to contact:
Email Mr. Tom Keeler at [email protected], and attach the Parental Permission
Form. Or, fill out the form and turn into the Main Office.
Other Details:
Lower El children must be picked up by an adult from the Middle School classroom
Cost:
There is no charge for these classes but you are encouraged to buy Arthur Benjamin’s book and/or
lecture series
This course is open to any child who has COMPLETELY mastered their times tables.
(Lower El students require recommendation of their teacher.)
A typical problem: using the difference of squares to calculate 662 as 72 * 60 + 62 = 4200 + 120
+ 36 without using pencil and paper.
Syllabus (provisional)
Week 1: Mental multiplication by 11; Squaring 25, 35, 45…, 95; Why these techniques work;
Changing hard addition into easy subtraction problems.
Week 2: Complements of 100 and 1000; Practice using complements to calculate change
from $5, $10, $20 and $100 bills.
Week 3: Using complements to turn hard subtraction into easy addition
Week 4: Review Complements Subtraction; 2 x 1 Multiplication with distributive property
(tens – units); 2 x 1 Multiplication with distributive property (tens + units); 3 x 1 Multiplication
Week 5: Review all previous work; Continue practice with 3 x 1 multiplication
Week 6: Review all previous work; two digit squares using difference of squares method;
Week 7: Review of all previous work, especially two digit squares; 2 x 2 multiplication:
addition method; 2 x 2 multiplication: subtraction method
Week 8: Review all previous work; 2 x 2 multiplication: factoring method
Week 9: 2 x 2 multiplication: Anything Goes; 3 digit squares
Week 10: Cubing two digit numbers;
Week 11: Mental Division; Testing for Divisibility
Week 12: Estimation
Additional Topics if time allows: Memorizing Numbers using a Mnemonic System; adding
columns of numbers with pencil and paper; Criss-cross multiplication: pencil and paper
Mental Math Class Parental Permission Form
Child’s Name: ____________________________________ Grade: ______ Classroom: ______
Teacher Signature for Lower Elementary Students: ___________________________________
PARENT OR GUARDIAN INFORMATION
Name: ________________________________ Cell Phone: (___) _____________
Work Phone: (___) _____________
Name: ________________________________ Cell Phone: (___) _____________
Work Phone: (___) _____________
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Name: ___________________________ Home: (___) ______________Work: (___) __________
Name: ___________________________ Home: (___) ______________ Work: (___) __________
MEDICAL HISTORY OF PARTICIPANT
1. Any Current Medical Problems?
No
Yes
2. Currently Taking any Medications? No
Yes
3. Allergies?
No
Yes
Please explain any “Yes” answers_________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
(If your child requires an epi-pen or inhaler, one must be assigned to our class during after school instruction.)
I give permission for my child to participate in Mental Math Classes offered at Sterling Montessori. I understand that I
am responsible for picking up my child no later than 4:30 P.M. by an adult.
___________________________________________________
______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date: