Math Fact Fluency

Research has shown that it is important for students to quickly recall basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) - math fact fluency.

Many educators and cognitive scientists agree that it is important for students to be fluent with basic facts in order to attain higher-order math skills ( multiple-digit addition and subtraction, long division, and fractions). Basic fact retrieval should be automatic and effortless.

Rapid recalling has been shown to be a strong predictor of performance on mathematics achievement tests (Royer, Tronsky, Chan, Jackson, & Marchant, 1999).

If a student has to constantly compute the answers to basic facts (examples: counting on using manipulatives or fingers, drawing pictures, using number lines) less of a student's thinking capacity can be devoted to higher level concepts.

*Information on this page came from Research Foundation & Evidence of Effectiveness for FASTT Math.

Here's a link you can access from home for your child:

Mathwire.com

Basic Facts Links


Featured Topic:   Internet: Basic Facts Links

The Internet allows teachers and parents to provide differentiated practice for students to develop fact fluency. Many sites also provide scaffolded practice, allowing students to practice individual times tables or mixed practice so that students can build fluency by practicing specific problem areas.

Teachers may include these internet sites in weekly computer center practice and/or send the URLs to parents for additional practice time at home. This no-cost option addresses the concerns of some parents and teachers who see a need for additional practice to master these basic facts. In fact, some teachers find that combining games, computer practice, problem solving applications, and perhaps some friendly in-class competition motivates students to practice and master facts.


Internet Basic Facts Fluency Practice

Addition and Subtraction

  • Addition Math Magician allows teachers to specify the addend (+1, +2, etc.) or select two mixed levels to provide differentiated practice. Students are challenged to answer 20 questions in 1 minute. The site reports accuracy and provides a certificate that may be printed.
  • Subtraction Math Magician allows teachers to select specific practice (-1, -2, etc.) or select two mixed levels to provide differentiated practice. Students are challenged to answer 20 questions in 1 minute. The site reports accuracy and provides a certificate that may be printed.
  • Addition Matho practices sums to 30 as students try to get bingo.

Multiplication and Division

  • Multiplication Math Magician allows teachers to specify the times table (x1, x2, etc.) or select a mixed level to provide differentiated practice. Students are challenged to answer 20 questions in 1 minute. The site reports accuracy and provides a certificate that may be printed.
  • Multiplication Moles simulates the Whack-a-Mole game in that students are given the product and must whack the mole holding the correct multiplication fact to produce that product.
  • Multiplication Madness allows students to choose the times table they wish to practice. They may also elect the drill mode where they must choose the correct answer in a multiple choice format or the test mode where they must type in the answer.
  • Division Math Magician allows teachers to select specific practice (/1, /2, etc.) or select a mixed level to provide differentiated practice. Students are challenged to answer 20 questions in 1 minute. The site reports accuracy and provides a certificate that may be printed.
  • Multiplication Matho provides mixed times table practice.

Mixed Practice

  • Math Baseball allows students to opt for addition, subtraction, multiplication or division practice at different levels (easy - Super Brain).
  • That's a Fact allows students to select the operation and timed or untimed practice. The site provides feedback on the total number of problems correct/incorrect. The site also shows students the correct answers for facts they missed and encourages them to practice these facts then take the test again.
  • Cyber Challenge gives students a choice of operations and one minute to complete as many facts as possible. The site provides feedback on total number of problems correct/incorrect.
  • Save the Apples allows students to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication or division as they help the monkey save the apples from the hungry alligator.
  • Math Mayhem challenges students to quickly add, subtract, multiply or divide their way into the Hall of Fame,

Featured Site: Math Magician Games

Students first select an operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication or division) then decide to practice target facts or mixed facts. They have only one minute to complete 20 questions correctly.

Check out the Math Magician Games site.