Learning math facts is essential for students to develop fluency and confidence. Here are 4 common fact fluency problems and solutions.
Problem #1: They are struggling to learn the basics.
Many students struggle with learning basic math facts. This problem is often due to a lack of fluency, or the ability to recall facts quickly and accurately.
Solution: Incorporate more concrete modeling and practice
One solution is to incorporate more concrete and hands-on modeling and practice. This can help students to visualize the concepts and make connections between the different facts. Additionally, it is important to provide opportunities for students to practice recalling the facts. This will help them to identify any errors in their understanding and solidify the correct information. With more concrete modeling and practice, students will be better able to learn basic math facts and improve their overall fluency.
Check out 5 ways to strengthen math fact fluency.
Problem #2: Students are bored
Fact fluency is a critical foundation for success in higher-level math, but too often students find the practice tedious and boring. As a result, they don’t become fluent in the basic facts and struggle when they try to move on to more complex concepts.
Solution: Switch up the ways they practice and play games
The solution is to make math fact practice more engaging and fun. Games and hands-on activities can help keep students interested and engaged, while also providing an opportunity to learn the facts more effectively. By incorporating these elements into math fact practice, students can learn the basic facts fluently and lay the foundation for success in higher-level math.
Check out: 14 Games and Activities for Practicing Math Facts
Problem #3: Kids won’t practice at home.
Solution: Send home materials and tips for practicing…and then incorporate time in school.
Communicating with families about the importance of daily math fact practice is key. Explain to parents during back-to-school night and during conferences that learning math facts is the foundation for success in math. Emphasize how crucial it is that students are mastering their facts and provide a timeline as a visual goal.
Send home ways to practice and tools parents can use to engage their students. Check-in with families often about how their student is doing with practicing at home.
With all that said, whether or not students actually do practice at home is something we have little control over. So, instead of stressing out about how much time students are practicing at home, utilize your in-school time as the most efficient and effective way possible.
Problem #4: There’s not enough time
Many teachers and parents alike struggle with finding the time to fit math fluency practice into already packed schedules. However, research shows that problem-solving and procedural skills are essential for students’ success in mathematics, and fluency is a foundational skill for problem-solving (Swank, 2006).
Solution: Set a daily practice time from week 1 and stick with it.
Fact fluency should not be viewed as a problem, but rather as an opportunity for engagement and effective practice. By incorporating daily math fact time into your schedule from the beginning of the year, you can ensure that your students are getting the practice they need to be successful in math. Just like making time for independent reading each day, daily math fact time is key to success in later math skills. The time you put in will pay off later!
Incorporate into morning work, during dismissal, or any other awkward 5-10 minutes in your day. Pick a time of the day and stick to it. Do the same routine every day. Repeated daily practice is necessary for mastery. Establishing a daily fact routine like Fast Fact Folders makes practice quick and effortless.
I hope these fact fluency solutions help you in deciding the best options for supporting your students. Looking for some fun ways to practice math facts? Grab these free games + flashcards!
