Dear Parents,

             The Wayne-Westland Community Schools math program

      has changed a great deal over the past few years. There

      are more requirements facing your child at younger ages

      than in the past.  In fifth grade, your student will see many

      new challenges in math that they have never seen before.

      At the center of almost every one of these is the multiplication

      facts.  The students who come to fifth grade with a working      

      knowledge  of the facts do well in math and flourish as the

      the year progresses.  Those that do not have a working

      knowledge become frustrated and struggle and fall behind.

            The fifth grade teachers encourage you to work with your

      child over the summer to help them learn these facts so that

      they can answer a multiplication fact question without having

      to labor over the problem to get an answer.  This will build

      confidence in your child next year when the facts are needed

      to be used to learn the new skills.  They will not be frustrated

      and will be willing to do their work at school.  This will save

      you from becoming frustrated spending a lot of time at home

      at night trying to help your child.

            To help your student learn or keep these facts over the

      summer, flash cards can be used.  Multiplication games can

      be played.  Musical rap tapes can be listened to.  Scientists

      have said that playing these tapes or CD's while the child

      sleeps can help in the learning process.  Some of our former

      Hamilton students report that this practice has helped them.

           Thank you for giving this request consideration.  Having

      a good start in fifth grade will lead your students to success

      and high accomplishments.

                                                            Sincerely yours,

                                                            The Hamilton Fifth Grade Teachers