Melissa Hays

3rd Grade Teacher

I am a third grade teacher for Bristow Public Schools. I am beginning my third year at Collins Elementary. I have a heart for third grade. Experts often cite third grade as a decisive year for students and schools. Data shows that children who cannot read by the third grade are four times less likely to graduate than students who can read by that age.Not only is reading important, but I am convinced that math is critical to be successful in today's world. Math facts are important because they form the building blocks for higher-level math concepts. When a child masters his/her math facts, these concepts will be significantly easier and the student will be better equipped to solve them faster.We start our third grade year out with multiplication. Many of our students come to us without addition and subtraction facts mastered.The Reflex Math program gives tremendous introduction, drill and accountability to each student for the math facts they know and do not know. The program is easily logged into and not time consuming at all. I am a huge advocate for individualized instruction and creating ways to challenge and encourage all of our students.Reflex Math has done that for me. I was blessed to use the program for the Spring Semester of 2019 and will continue to use it until December. My grant given to me by Reflex Math will expire in December and I want to get this program in place as soon as possible so we do not miss out on the accomplishments that need to be made to prepare each student for the upcoming grade and skills required of them.