“Repetition is the mother of learning,

the father of action,

which makes it the architect of accomplishment.”

Zig Ziglar

I think all teachers understand and appreciate the thinking behind this quote.

Repetitious practice certainly can be key to developing skill in academic areas.

The problem is often that the pace in which we instruct is too fast and furious.

It is often time to move onto new learning when we know quite well that our students need more time to practice the skills they are currently working on.

This is why I always look for ways to sneak in more practice.

When it comes to math skills, one way I fit in constant review of prior learning is through our Calendar Time and Number of the Day.

I created sheets to fill in to review skills like place value, odd/even numbers, counting forwards, backwards, number lines, etc.

These sheets slide easily into dry erase page protectors. This allows us to write our answers on each sheet and then erase and use again.

We pick a random number of the day. I have numbers cut and place them into a number can. My "Calendar Helper" pulls out two or three numbers to make a two or three digit "Number of the Day".

The students work through identifying the word form, expanded, picture form of that number.