Rocket Math Strategies
Many grade schools now using various types of timed tests for basic arithmetic. This web site was originally created to provide practice worksheets for a time testing program used at a local school district. If your child’s school is using a similar program, these worksheets will provide several variations on the single practice sheet that typically comes home for each lesson.
The Rocket Math programs are typically divided into multiple levels usually identified by letter, where each level introduces a small number of basic facts. The problems on each level are built on the The tests are usually given daily, with each test lasting one minute. Practice on the problems is pretty critical to success, especially if your child isn’t one that works well under the pressure of the clock.
There are different Rocket Math levels for each of the four basic math operations. My kids started with Rocket Math addition in first grade and have generally worked up through the operations year-by-year, (subtraction in second grade, multiplication in third, and, still to come, division in fourth grade.)
For practice here, as part of home work two or three times a week I’ll run off five of the worksheets, usually two from the level my daughter is currently on and then a selection of three from the next two or three levels she’ll likely cover. I’ll then use the free web timer on the site and run a five minute test. Its very critical that you grade the tests and have your child correct anything that’s wrong. In fact, where an answer is consistently wrong, I’ll even resort to having my daughter write the correct math fact out eight or ten times. Memorizing a math fact wrong is simply deadly here and you need to catch this as early as possible when it comes up. Never (never, ever) skip grading a Rocket Math test. Child Protective Services has a special room for parents that let their kids memorize 6×7=56.
Anyway, apart from the raw practice these longer tests give, the logic here is that this is a much longer, harder and more stressful test than what she goes through at school each day. That makes the tests at school seem a whole lot easier by comparison. It does make create something of a motivation factor, and that’s really the key hurdle to overcome.
Motivation around here comes in many forms. It starts with having a positive attitude around the tests, no matter what happens. Reinforce that the practice is what counts (not getting 100% accuracy or completing it on time, even though that’s what you want ultimately.) Passing a particular five minute test under the timer usually merits a high-five and a serious break from whatever’s going on… Maybe a getting a little time on the Wii with Dad or a Godzilla movie or something else fun. We’ll set targets for levels and maybe working up to level ‘N’ means a $20 trip to Toys’R'Us or going out for a Quadruple-Venti Mocha at Starbucks (actually, cocoa for the kids… Dads need motivation, too.)
All the way around, the key here is making the activity fun and engaging. Making this enjoyable at home plus the success this will bring with testing at school will quickly turn Rocket Math into enormously positive experience. Honestly, how great is it to have your kids saying not only that “I’m good at math!” but also “I love math!” This Dad was never so proud.
Just wanted to thank you for the great website. My third grader is struggling with “Rocket Math” right now, so hoping these worksheets and tips will help!
Comment by Amy — November 19, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Thanks Amy! One of my girls is in third grade right now, so we’re right there with you… Good luck and keep practicing!
Comment by Dad — November 19, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
I just discovered this wonderful website. Thank you so much for creating it and generously sharing it online! I am an American mother of two children living in Europe and I sometimes feel cut off from schooling resources. That won’t be true anymore with math.
Thank you again – you’re helping a lot of people!
Comment by Christina H. — December 14, 2008 @ 7:18 am
Hello Christina -
I’m glad you found us here, and really appreciate the feedback. The time your kids spend overseas will teach them things they could never get in a classroom stateside, but until you’re home I’m sure pleased to help with the math!
Safe travels!
Dad
Comment by Dad — December 15, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Thank you for this, I have been looking for sheets for my daughter to practice at home and this is perfect
Thanks
Comment by Colleena — January 12, 2009 @ 8:48 am
As a twenty-three year veteran of the school system and a Math Content Specialist, I applaud your site and your method. Multiplication facts are quite arbitrary to 9 and 10 year olds. The number sense, in this case, usually comes long after the facts are memorized. The home-school connection is the key to most student’s success. I am not a reward person, however, this is the one area that I let go and have an enticing “prize box.” Remember, improvement is the goal, not perfection. This is one time that a 35% is considered great compared to last week’s 20%.
Bravo Dad! Thanks for your help!
Comment by Mary S — January 19, 2009 @ 7:03 am
This is wonderful! My son was stuck on Addition Set R. With the help of these additional worksheets to practice on….he has blown through the rest of the sets. In fact he has passed most of them on the very first try. He is slated to start the review X,Y,Z this week.
Kudos to you, dad. Keep it up. I have passed on this website to many other parents in the class.
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Sue K. — February 17, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
Tell your son congratulations for me, Sue!
Comment by Dad — February 17, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
In regard to my comment # 7 above…….my son is now up to Subtraction “P” tomorrow. These worksheets have helped greatly.
Comment by Sue K. — March 23, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
You are such a blessing. Thank you for sharing all of your work. The worksheets have been an invaluable resource in helping my daughter practice and helping her to stay on star roll all year.
Again, thank you.
Comment by Anonymous — June 4, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
This site is an awesome resource. My older two children did this rocket math and now my third is on it six years later. With my first two it was a true struggle because there were no practice sheets sent home to work on and help them. With your website my third daughter will have the chance to hopefully not struggle as much with this math program.
It is also great that she can time herself because she seems to get into that.
Thank you so much.
Comment by Trixie — October 12, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
Dad, I find your spaceship math wonderful precursor to the rocket math. My students do not get all out of sorts because they know that they have several practice sheets to work on before they take the timed tests (which I don’t believe in, but the district does). Thanks! I love your stuff!
Comment by sped teacher — November 13, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
Thanks for these worksheets!! These are going to be TOTALLY helpful in supplementing my son’s school’s Rocket Math program. I’ve toyed with the idea of erasing the ones that come home to have him practice with or make them myself but, never got motivated to do that. THANKS for all your work and providing this to other parents! Despite being above grade level in math …. timed work is stressful for my son and he is below what they want him to be with Rocket Math …. so, hopefully the practice at home will alleviate his anxiety at school. Thanks Again!
Comment by Sandra — November 23, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
While these sheets may be good to have around the house for math practice, we must not lose sight of the fact that research indicates that timed tests cause more apprehension in students. Learning the mathematical processes and meaning of mathematical operations should be at the forefront of our teaching. We must stress accuracy, not speed. If we want to raise a generation of mathematicians who may be going in to a field of science, I want that person to be concerned with his/her accuracy in figuring out a cure for cancer…..not who gets to the finish line first. But,to those who feel the need for speed, this site is good for you.
Comment by Mom — January 28, 2010 @ 5:28 pm