Addendum :)

Hello again!

One of the excellent questions asked at Back to School Night was in reference to Frederick County's expectations for basic facts acquisition. It was mentioned that MCPS expects a student to recall 1 basic fact/3 seconds. FCPS curriculum states the following: MA.200.60.26c Demonstrate quick recall of number combinations for addition & subtraction (6.C.1.a)(Second Grade); and MA.300.60.26c Maintain quick recall of number combinations for addition & subtraction (Third Grade). The State curriculum states: Demonstrate proficiency with addition and subtraction basic facts using a variety of strategies (Second Grade). So that doesn't quite answer the question!
Ultimately, as I was saying, the goal of the Mad Minute is to beef up those basic facts. The students' lives will be that much easier down the mathematical road as their basic facts acquisition and recall skills strengthen.

Also, you may notice as more papers are coming home that you will see some papers with actually grades/percentages, and others with smiley faces. The smiley-faced papers indicate activities that we did together as a class, or as a practice activity after a lesson. If your child brings home a paper with a "Please Complete" or "Please Finish" message written on it, please have him/her complete/finish the work and turn it back into me again. I use the :) papers to determine the learning skills grades - so let's make sure they're getting credit when credit is due!

Thank you again! Have a wonderful weekend!