6 Problems

What is 6 Problems?

6 Problems is a way to get more math into your kid's day in a quick, low-stakes environment. It can help them build fluency and confidence in basic mathematical processes.

The idea is simple: practice can be more fun and confidence-building if done in small chunks. Small chunks of practice, done daily, accumulate and make a difference.

Why is it useful?

We know that deliberate practice is the best way to get better at something (if you don't know that yet, I highly recommend this book!). But staring down a worksheet of 20–30 problems of the same sort can feel intimidating and boring. Looking at six problems, though, which could be accomplished in 2–5 minutes, feels manageable and even — occasionally! — fun.

Your kid may not be interested in sitting down and doing 30 of the same type of math problem, but they may be willing to do 6 problems each day after school for a week, which gets them the same number of practice reps — with the added benefit of spaced repetition making it more likely to stick.

How should I put together the 6 Problems?

• If the problems are of a type your child isn't comfortable with yet, write out an example at the top. (More about writing examples coming soon.)
• Consider sequencing problems to assist with learning. For instance, a child learning to convert mixed numbers to improper fractions may benefit from converting 1 into 8ths in the first problem, and then 1 1/8 into 8ths immediately after.
• Keep the problems simple. Multistep problems are fine, but problems that chain multiple multistep processes together aren't good candidates.
• Don't use these as flashcards. It can be tempting to use this time to practice times tables or fact memorization, but that work is likely better done in longer chunks of time. (Check out Facts on Fire if you’re more interested in six minutes than 6 Problems!)
• Don't be afraid to write 6 similar problems. Becoming familiar with patterns is an important part of learning.
• Keep in mind that you want to build confidence and fluency. It's okay if the problems many days feel repetitive or even 'easy.'
• Know your kid! If you give them 6 hard problems each day, are they going to view it as a challenge, or are they going to start dreading it? You can keep the problems balanced, with easier and more challenging ones on each page, or have one challenge at the end of each page — however your kid learns best.
• Don't forget to go over the problems with your kid once they're done! It's a chance to celebrate the questions they got right, and discuss the ones they got wrong — and get inspiration for tomorrow's 6 Problems!

When in the day should I fit 6 Problems in?

Any time where your kid is alert and engaged, is able to write with a pencil, and can expect it every day, is a good time. For instance:

• In the car or bus home from school
• In the car or bus on the way to school
• At breakfast
• After an afternoon snack

The drive home from school works great for my kid — she calls the 6 Problems her 'home “to home” work!' Some kids need more time to decompress after a long day — you know your kid best!

What skills can be practiced this way?

Below are examples of things that work well in 6 Problems:

• Double digit addition without carrying
• Double digit addition with carrying
• Double digit subtraction without regrouping
• Double digit subtraction with regrouping
• Writing numbers in expanded form
• Listing factors of a number
• Rounding
• Multiplying numbers ending in zero
• Dividng numbers ending in zero
• Adding fractions with the same denominator
• Subtracting fractions with the same denominator
• Converting mixed numbers to improper fractions
• Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers
• Simplifying fractions
• Identifying least common denominators
• Converting fractions to decimals
• Converting decimals to fractions
• Multiplying fractions
• Dividing fractions