Helping Your Students Create Math Flash Cards

Whether you homeschool your children, or teach a classroom of elementary kids, flash cards are an important resource for helping the children memorize their math facts.

Instruct each class member to bring in the following items:

1. 2 packages of index cards
2. 1 package of popsicle sticks
3. 1 set of colored pencils
4. Glue

Have the students copy what you do from your desk. This method works for creating multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction flash cards.

1. Present the Math fact such as 2+1 or 2x4. Have the children shout out the answer.
2. Have the student use their colored pencils to write the fact, but not the answer on the front of the card.
3. Let the students color the numbers in. They can do bubble numbers or block numbers and color them in. That is what will make this exercise fun for the kids.
4. Have the students write the answers on the back of the index card.
5. Go through each fact with the students and give them time to work on each card.
6. When you are done have the students glue a popsicle stick to the back of the index card. This will allow them to quiz themselves and hold the card up with one hand. They can then flip it over easily to find out if their answer was right.
7. Let the sticks have time to dry and encourage the kids to use the flash cards at home each night.

Within two weeks you will notice a big improvement in the students retention of the math facts. Continue to encourage the children to use the math flash cards until they have mastered all of the material.