Your Child Must Learn Math Facts

Math facts. When did they go out of style? I re-visit this problem every year - there are a bunch of children who did not learn their math facts (10 + 12, 3 x 12, and 4/2) and this impacts their overall math abilities.

We would never teach children how to read without first teaching them (and having them master) the alphabet letters and sounds. Yet, many students are expected to do math without mastering their basic addition, subtraction and multiplication facts.....

I have never taught the actual facts whole group. I teach the process...groups of, arrays, etc. But the actual practicing (I call it Rocket Math, based on the program, but I don't nec. use their worksheets) is solely individualized and 'at their own pace'. I strongly encourage parents to supervise this at home with math card games or with five questions each night. 

In my third grade class (which I taught years ago), students each had their own Rocket Math folder, with the checklist included. They were excited each day to see if I signed off that they passed the level they are on.

Even in seventh grade, students come to me at varying levels...some have no clue and know few math facts, some know some of their facts, and others are pretty close to mastering their facts, ready to move onto division. There is no way I could teach it whole group.

So, they all begin at the 0's and 1's. From there, they move at their own pace. Once they pass a level, they move onto the next level. I have some right now on their 10's, others on their final test, ready to move onto division. By the time they get to 7's and 8's, there really is no teaching needed. They know all of their facts, already, except for 7x7 and 7x8 and 8x8. I just remind them of that and have them memorize those 3. (But they still have to pass the level).

In seventh grade, I have to get creative in slipping this into math class because the curriculum wants other things covered. So I use it in measurement and algebra and I use it as a daily warm-up....Oh, and calulators aren't allowed in my class. I use small digits in my examples and I expect the students to work out the problem with pencil and paper.

Here is the order I use:

0's and 1's
2's
10's
11's
5's
5,10,11 mixed
9's
3's
4's
3, 4 9's mixed
6's
7's
8's
6, 7, 8's mixed
12's (optional-I don't have to teach these, but I do for those kids who move quickly).
0-12's mixed

Every Friday they take a 0-12's mixed (no matter what level they are on). They graph their scores so that they have a record (besides the checklist in their folders) of how they are progressing.

I *may* do a mini-lesson on a certain set (like the 9's), but no whole group teaching of facts.

We do 5 min. of Rocket Math daily. They also practice on the computer, for a.m. work (rare), and have it for nightly homework. Those who aren't making progress stay in for recess for a few days for extra practice. That motivates them to study at home!!

After multiplication, I do long division and 4 digit addition....I wish this was mastered in primary.