So, I've got everything read to start playing SS math with my 3rd graders. I'm wondering though, how often should I let students play? I was thinking maybe 2-3 times a week or is that too much? My students will be starting with level 1 addition by the way.

Southern Teacher,

At our school we have students play SS everyday. In my own classroom I do the following:

Monday: Addition Level 1
Tuesday: Subtraction Level 1
Wednesday: Multiplication Level 1
Thursday: Division Level 1
Friday: Gnarlies Level 1

My kiddos have a partner for each section of SS.

The lower grades at our school are doing it everyday, but starting with Addition Level 1 only and working through it slowly.

I hope this helps!

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Southern Teacher,

Hello! I would use Super Speed everyday. At your level for the first part of the year, I would rotate between addition and subtraction. By the middle of the year, I would add multiplication to the mix. Daily practice and beating their records will keep your students motivated throughout the entire year! Once students beat their record, the next day they get to start a row down. If they make it all the way through, then you can have them practice the vertical columns. By the end of the year, your students will be well on their way to basic fact mastery, which will make the upper grade teachers give you a MIGHTY OH YEAH!!!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

I'll be starting on Monday. I think I might do it then and on Friday for sure. We have conference and faculty meeting days so our week is a little shortened and crazy busy, too. My kiddos have been asking what the orange folders I've set up are for, but I tell them they have to wait and find out!

I had thought about everyday, but I'm a little worried about them moving through the 2 levels of addition and subtraction putting them at multiplication and division before we've had it in math. My kiddos have not had anything related to division (they don't even know what the symbols are), and have only had a basic introduction to what multiplying basically is. Looks like I won't be ready to teach it until sometime in late November or early December at the earliest.

I know some will be ready for those skills because of at home prep from parents, but how would I handle those who can handle the first 2 sets and go through them a bit quicker, but aren't ready for multiplying and dividing?

Southern Teacher,
If your students are not ready for multiplication and division, hold off on those until they are ready. Keep practicing the addition and subtraction, identifying Gnarlies, and mastering the facts. As far as those who master the facts more quickly, but aren't ready yet for multiplication and division, just challenge them to keep setting and breaking personal records. So, they don't really ever "go through" a level. The emphasis is on improving fluency and knowing those facts inside out and upside down!
After you teach multiplication and division, then you can begin to implement those levels into Super Speed. It would prove futile to give them problems that they are not equipped to answer.
That being said, you can whet their appetite by saying that when they get to be additiion and subtraction masters, they will be able to advance to another level. The students LOVE to advance in levels!
Let us know how it goes.
Deb