Teach Yourself - Shortcuts for UIL Elementary Number Sense (thru 8th grade)

These are "tricks" for UIL Number Sense contests. These are mental math contest that are timed. The more problems you get correct in 10 minutes, the higher your score. (Please see the Preview for a better explanation if you are not familiar with Number Sense contest.) Each "shortcut" is explained and shown to the student and then examples are given. After the student reads the information, he should be able to work the example problems. There are over 20 shortcuts described, at least 30 if you count the numbers multiplying by 12-19. And there are practice problems for each kind of multiplication shortcut.

I teach shortcuts to my regular math classes, not all of these, just to keep them interested! They seem to love knowing that little extra that all others are not aware of knowing. And I know that being a math coach is like teaching in a regular classroom, students get some concepts quickly and others need extra work. With this booklet, the student who needs more help can go back to the work as needed.

I have listed the divisibility rules but did not put how to pages in the packet. This is mainly multiplication shortcuts. There are 70 total pages, including the cover sheet, table of contents pages, helpful hints and things to memorize, and a couple of practice test that are mainly covering the test questions that are often on the test. I have taught number sense for over 30 years and seem to regroup each year by compiling test and practice pages. I am hoping that with this packet, I will save myself lots of time and hopefully help others who need their time too! If you are in a school that MUST have CENTERS, this can be placed in the center and can be used as mini lessons. If your classes are like mine, all mixed up, and your high kids are bored, they might enjoy learning a little extra with these "tricks". This can be used for making math fun and homeschooling. My students that master these concepts are really proud of themselves and I am too!

Since I usually have errors, I will expect to hear of them. If you will let me know, I will correct and fix the mistakes and you will get a link for a new copy. This is copyrighted. This may not be uploaded to the internet or to personal websites or network drives. You may not make copies for other teachers and may only use them for your students.

Thanks for your purchase. I hope that it is helpful to you, whether you are using it for classroom, home school, or UIL Coaching. And I hope it makes it much easier for your students.

Jelly Beans & Jumping Jacks