Summer has started and I am thrilled that my alarm clock is turned off! Mommy Camp has started, but I am also working on updating some products and creating new ones. I am happy to say, my first two updates are complete! Presenting the new and improved Math Facts Fluency Units:
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I have noticed that if my students have mastered their addition and subtraction facts, they are able to understand more complex math concepts I present during the school year. It eliminates the constant counting on fingers that consumes too much of a math lesson.
My students start their math facts test at the very beginning of the school year. Each student is given their plus 2 and plus 3 flash cards to study. I have them cut them out and place them on a metal ring. These are kept at their desk so they can review whenever they finish their class work. We add more flash cards to it throughout the year.
Twice a week, as part of their homework, I send home practice math facts pages. I use the 25 problem tests (included in each packet) to make sure they are reviewing their skills. Their parents time them and write down how long it took to finish the set of 25 problems. The goal is for them to finish it between 1 minute and 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
Each Thursday, we take our timed tests. Everyone starts with the plus 2 test. They must complete 50 problems in 3 minutes. For the first month, I give them 4 minutes to complete the test so they get used to the process. In my class, in order to pass to the next level, each student must get 100% on their test. You might want your students to miss only 1 or 2 problems and they can advance. Do what works best for you and your class. But make sure to set the rules up from the very beginning. Everyone moves at their own pace. After the first week, students will be at different levels.
After I grade the tests, I send home a note letting the parents and students know if their child passed their test. This lets them know what they need to study and practice for the coming week. Weekly and end of unit awards are included in the packet, as well.
I also like to hold my students accountable for their progress. I keep a binder with student data graphs, so they can track their progress. After the tests are graded, I pass out the graphs to each student to fill out. Here is a sample:
This also helps my students to visually see where they are struggling or succeeding! It is also a great motivator to get them to study during the week, so they can pass to the next level.
Now, for the best part...if you would love to try using one of these units in your classroom, I am giving away a copy to a lucky follower!!! Just enter the rafflecopter below. If you win, you can choose which unit you would like!!!
The kids at my school don't come to school with strong number sense. We have to work a lot on that first. I enjoy teaching mental math strategies and we spend a lot of time doing them. With each mental math strategy we do timed tests.
ReplyDeleteWe practice fluency by using folder games, flash cards, and room searches!
ReplyDeleteI do addition or subtraction Sprints three times per week, and Fast Facts Folders twice a week. Next year I won't use the Fast Facts Program because I didn't love it. I think my students didn't move along it quickly enough partly due to its distractibility. I will change it up for next year. I like your set better! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe do minute to win it!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking to do something just like what your packet entails this year for math facts from K-6, so winning your packet would be excellent for me and my first graders! :-)
ReplyDeleteI use the five minute drill worksheets from themathworksheetsite.com because it is different each time you create it. I do these weekly for addition and subtraction and my students graph their results. We also use and make flash cards and use dice.
ReplyDeleteWell, I loved reading a lot of ideas here! I will definitely try using the dice. I usually just use flashcards, timed tests, and go around the room practicing math facts. :) You're set would be an awesome complimentary resource for me and my kiddos!
ReplyDeleteWe do drills each day!
ReplyDeleteWe spend the whole year learning and practicing strategies. We also take fluency tests 2-3 times a week. Touch Dots math really helps the children who are struggling!
ReplyDeleteI teach number sense facts the old school way!!! In my experience, nothing works better than the chart format/memorization facts method!! I offer base ten blocks as a means of differentiating my instruction =).
ReplyDeleteWe use REFLEX and Super speed addition and subtraction.
ReplyDeleteWe do a half minute to win it 3x a week. 15 problems in 30 seconds. I'm really looking for a good multiplication one.
ReplyDeleteWe also do weekly timed tests, but the problems are in a mixed up format. And I instituted a 'no skip' policy, so you have to answer them in the order they come!
ReplyDeleteOur school has a Math Challenge and, as part of that, I give a daily math facts tests. We start with addition, move on to subtraction, etc. I do it daily because, at second grade, I find that if we skip a day or two, the students lose their momentum and they can't pass their tests as easily.
ReplyDeleteWe play a lot of games from the investigations series, and I use Xtramath.org
ReplyDelete~Heather
The Meek Moose
We drill, play games, and give timed tests. Thanks for this opportunity.
ReplyDeletetinysmiles34@gmail.com
We use flash cards, task cards, and timed tests weekly.
ReplyDeletechief9937@Yahoo.com
We use a program called mastering math facts.
ReplyDeletescheinbere@hotmail.com
We use flask cards and math fact timed test daily.
ReplyDeleteRepetition, repetition, repetition.... flash cards, Scoot Games, partners, "War" using a deck of cards and adding and subtracting, any thing I can think of :) Would love to win the Addition/Subtraction Set. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletesherii at cfl dot rr dot com
For math facts I do a fast math test called Bubble Math. I say the number they have to add, subtract, or multiply (depending on what they are on) to their number. I keep a graph in the classroom to show them where they are. We do this two to three times a week.
ReplyDeleteIn my first grade class we practice math facts many different ways. We use BUILD buckets, flash cards, cooperative group activities, scoots, make our own cards with a partner.
ReplyDeleteSwun Math - Beyond the Basic Facts, cooperative group activities, gumball math, flash cards
ReplyDelete