Top 5 things to be a successful middle school math student

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1) Multiplication facts-- This is the most important.  A student cannot and I repeat cannot, be successful without knowing their multiplication facts.  They must know them within a couple seconds.  It needs to be automatic.

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2) Basic geometry facts-- area of basic figures, coordinate plane, geometry basic terms like area, perimeter, names of figures, etc.

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3) Mental math- Student have to be able to mental math quickly in their head.  Not just multiplication facts, but bigger numbers like 30 x 6 or 88-37 or how many times does 36 go into 120?   

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The mental math speeds up every area of their learning and gives them a better undersanding of more complicated problems.

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4) Estimation-- Students have to be able to make reasonable answers with an educated estimation.  Every answer they get needs to be checked with their estimation and see if it makes sense.  This one of the most important skills in real life and will save them from so many mistakes on more complicated problems.

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5) Ability to find out how to do a problem- Students have to be able to find out how to understand a concept or how to work a problem.  Many students are stuck on "oh, I will just ask the teacher".  Strong students find answers for themselves and uses technology to their advantage.  Weak students use technology to cheat or they don't use it all.