3 Tips for Math Fact Fluency

   Now that October is nearly through and November is upon us, it brings with it a unique set of challenges and opportunities.  During the next few weeks, many of you will participate in or organize a parent-teacher conference.  These conferences prove to be an exciting time of insight and growth.  Throughout the last several years, the most common request parents have immediately following conferences is how to improve their child’s math fluency.  Timed tests are often incorporated into the classroom, and many students need further support in this area.  The most commonly shared piece of advice I give to parents, despite popular belief, do not push timed quizzes at home.  Rather, with guided practice and support, children will naturally increase their timing and accuracy.  Providing concrete materials to increase student’s understanding, involving both brain hemispheres and incorporating exciting and motivating activities will help support student’s growth.
     Use of concrete materials is an important step in building student’s numeracy skills.  While materials such as counting blocks, math chips, and Cuisenaire Rods are found in many classrooms, I believe using creativity in object selection is essential to guiding students.  While working with a student on addition facts, I incorporated colorful feathers to reinforce one-on-one correspondence and combining to form the foundation for addition concepts.  Students have created arrays using gummi bears, pretzels and stickers to assist with multiplication understanding.  Object selection will vary with student’s interests and seasons.  Using highly motivating objects will improve student’s motivation and time on task.

     As I have shared previously on the blog, teaching with the brain in mind will expedite the learning process and guide student’s self-awareness.  I highly recommend incorporating this idea while your child is learning their math facts.  The left side of the brain is responsible for mathematical processing and short term memory while the right retains information through color and music.  Long term memories are stored in the right hemisphere.  The strategic use of high interest visuals incorporating a mathematical story is an effective and fun method for reaching student.  For example, while studying the addition fact 1+2, featuring a cartoon character and their two friends, students can see the fact beyond the numbers.  It’s important to remember to feature the fact directly on the colorful pictures to improve recall.

     Finally, I would highly recommend the use of motivating and interesting activities.  There are several websites that when used on a regular basis can improve student’s retention.  In addition, games are a wonderful method for improving student’s recall and fluency of math facts.  For further information, please visit my Pinterest page.  It is full of exciting games that your child will enjoy.  I also encourage parents and educators to be creative and imaginative when reinforcing the facts.  Students are keenly aware of our perception regarding facts.  If we choose to make the process fun, children are more likely to develop a favorable outlook regarding math fact fluency.