What is math fact fluency?
Math fact fluency as defined by NCTM is having flexible and efficient methods to produce accurate answers.
I utilize three strategies to help my students build their confidence, flexibility and accuracy with math facts.
My first strategy is Number Talks
How do you do a number talk?
A number talk is a whole group lesson where students share problem solving strategies. These lessons provide opportunities for flexibility in thinking which builds math fact fluency.
My number talk procedure has several steps.
First, I assign similar ability math partners-I usually give them fun names-chips and salsa-so I can give specific instructions to each partner.
Grab this partner chart FREEBIE!
Next, I display the problem. When I first teach number talks, I use a problem on a review skill, so students can focus on the number talk process. For example at the beginning of 2nd grade, I might use the problem 7+9+8 = ?
Then, students look at the problem and think to themselves “How can I solve this problem?” “What strategies can I use?”
THIS IS A THINKING TIME NOT A TALKING TIME.
During this time, students show their thinking by putting a thumb up to show they have one strategy. They can use other fingers to show additional strategies.
After think time, I give the signal “Turn and Talk” and they turn to face their partner and talk about their strategy. I say “chips partners talk first,” and this means that salsa partners listen.
I provide sentence frames for student discussion
My strategy was _____
The strategy I used was ______
I solved the problem by ________
After about a minute or so, I say “switch” and this means that salsa partners talk and chips partner listens. As they talk, I walk around and listen to conversations, prompting when necessary.
Grab this FREEBIE to pair your students! or Grab this partner pairing product
When I give my signal, “Tootsie Roll Lollipop,” students say “We were talking, now we stop,” and they stop talking and face me.
Finally, I choose 2-3 students to share their strategies. They name the strategy-or I help them label it. This list of strategies becomes a reference tool for future number talks.
For more information on partner work ideas -check out my blog post here.
Number of the Day
My second strategy to build math fact fluency is a simple warm up called Number of the Day. I choose a number such as the days in school. Students use white boards to make equations that equal the number of the day.
They can use any operation or representation. Students work alone at first and then work with a partner to share ideas. You can record ideas on chart paper for future reference. This builds math fact fluency as students begin to see patterns in their computations!
Math Games
My last strategy to help my students build math fact fluency is math games. Students are engaged when playing math card games. They enjoy playing them again and again which provides multiple opportunities for practice and success and build confidence.
I developed math fact games that students play three different ways-Memory, Go Fish and a Wild Card version. Students practice addition facts with sums to 20 with these card games.
Check out the bundle of games here.
I hope you find these strategies useful in helping your students build math fact fluency!
Until next time,
Angel
Clip Art Credits
