Accelerated Math is a wonderful tool used to help all students review, reinforce, improve, and accelerate their math skills.  All students in grades 3-8 are required to complete Accelerated Math practices and tests as part of their regular homework assignments.  Accelerated Math parallels the current lessons being taught in the classroom.  The beauty of Accelerated Math is that it allows ambitious students to move ahead of the current lesson and provides additional review for students who may need more practice with previous lessons.  Accelerated Math has automatic review work built into the assignments so all students are constantly reviewing material presented during the entire school year, even back to the beginning of the year.

First, the students must work independently.  They can get help at school from their teachers, but the work must be their own.  Family members can help read or understand a problem, but they should not correct work.

Second, the students should show their work, even if the problem is easy!  The best way is to write on another piece of paper in a neat, organized manner.  It is much easier to find mistakes and understand problems when a student can find and read their work.

Third, students should find and understand mistakes.  Many students are afraid to miss even one problem.  In Accelerated Math, making mistakes is part of the learning process.  In fact, when a student is able to find and see a mistake, it strengthens the learning process.

What does this mean?  Encourage your student(s) to do as much Accelerated Math as they are capable and willing to do!  Let them do their own work and do not correct the work they have done.  If you want to help, please review the corrected assignments before the start of a new one.  Encouraging your student(s) to be unafraid of making mistakes and to learn from them is a great way to help with Accelerated Math.