Two Steps to Math Fact Fluency

I want to help you understand how children develop fact fluency and help sort through what research tells us about it. 

I also want to give you two ways you can help your child advance in fact fluency.  If you do these two things with your child, a more confident approach to basic facts will develop.

These two activities can literally change your child’s confidence level when it comes to approaching basic facts.

The best way to work towards fact fluency is by applying interrelated concepts to combinations of numbers. 

Okay, umm, that’s a loaded statement.  Let’s unpack it.

Plain memorization is when a child practices answering random facts.  Fact fluency involves more than that.  Let me show you what I mean.

Fact fluency is so difficult to appreciate because on the surface it is only observable as accuracy and speed.  But so much more is going on mentally.  Fact fluency is more sophisticated than those two observable outcomes. 

If a child drills for accuracy and speed, at best, that is the only gain.  Fact fluency, on the other hand, develops from using different number combinations in a variety of ways.

So, when a child applies (discovers/unlocks) arithmetic properties to manipulate numbers, the result is a higher level of math awareness.  That awareness is observed as, you guessed it, speed and accuracy.

For example, a common strategy for adding nine to another number goes something like this.  6+ 9 is changed to 6 + 10 = 16.  Then, the extra one is subtracted, 16-1=15.  

Similarly, another approach with the same strategy is to take one from the other addend and add it to the nine to make the ten.  In the case of the fact above, 6+9, the fact is rethought as 5+10.

Either way, the relationship between nine and ten has to be understood before such a strategy can be applied accurately and efficiently.

Manipulating numbers includes learning what doesn’t work.

For example, can 12 x 12 be solved by multiplying 10x10 and 2x2?  10x10=100 plus 2x2=4 for a total of 104.  That doesn’t work.

Can it be solved by multiplying 10x12 and then add the remaining 2x12?  10x12=120 plus 2x12=24 for a total of 144.  That works.

That’s fact fluency -accurately and efficiently using number combinations in different ways.

Step One:

You might be reading this blog in search of the golden key to unlock fact fluency for your child.  Research is shedding new light on this very question.  Samuelsson (2023) demonstrates differences between technology, guided learning and memorization.

In short, all three methods can have a positive impact on growing fact fluency.  A combined effort of all three can also play a role. 

Research shows that technology programs using artificial intelligence can have a greater impact on the growth of fact fluency, compared to guided learning and memorization (Samuelsson, 2023).  Artificial intelligence tracks user mistakes.  In turn, the program provides more practice to steer the thought process clear of those repeated mistakes.  The algorithms are based on compilation of data from hundreds of thousands of users, if not millions, providing practice that targets the best results for most users.

Yet, it’s not surprising there are contrasting results from research (cf. Tournaki, 2003; Fuchs eat al., 2012; Baroody, Bajwa and Eiland, 2009).  It seems understandable that learners respond to fact fluency tools in different ways.  For example, students who struggle navigating a mouse and number keys can practice fact fluency more efficiently with paper and pencil.  Not all practice programs work the same for all children.

Often, when we think of memorization, flash cards come to mind.  Not all flash cards are designed equally.  Different theories approach flash cards in unique ways.  In fact, some sets of flash cards have nothing to do with the idea of speed or ‘flash’.  Flash cards can be of the traditional type -a deck of cards printed with math facts on the front and answers on the back.  Or, more impactful sets of cards are designed to promote comparison of different number representations.  

A good companion tool to support any method of fact fluency practice is something I call “Math Sprints.”

A Math Sprint is a row of ten facts that can be solved with the same strategy.  In other words, the ten facts can be manipulated in the similar way.  

Math Sprints can first be used as guided practice -making sure the child has developed enough of an understanding of a fact strategy before practicing repetitive application of the strategy.

Parent observations determine which strategies need more frequent practice -similar to the artificial intelligence used by some high tech programs…but in this case there’s nothing artificial about it.

Math Sprints are presented in paper form, so it’s a worksheet format.  But, with a big difference.  The sprints provide targeted strategy practice based on parent observations of what the child needs to practice the most.  This is a lot different than a worksheet containing random facts.  

A strength for Math Sprints is that the parent can take on a role more like a coach.  Doing Math Sprints together provides extra opportunities for you to be your child’s cheerleader.  Also, working together on a targeted growth goal for your child can create more (s’more) moments for you to impact your child’s mindset.  Teachable moments at the core.

When doing homework together, it’s common for children to tell their parents they aren’t doing it right, that’s not how their teacher does it.  A area of curriculum that is most consistent from one classroom to the next is that of teaching fact strategies.  Most likely, we all speak a similar language when it comes to strategies for math facts. 

As a side note, It’s always a good idea to ask your child how a skill is being taught in school.  (Notice the ‘HOW’ in that question, rather than asking ‘WHAT’.) Not only do you get useful information, more importantly, it strengthens your child’s understanding of the concept.  Putting into words what we are learning is a powerful tool that can expedite the learning curve.

I’d like to send you a free sheet of Math Sprints.  Included will be the four simple steps for using Math Sprints.  If you would like to receive the Math Sprint set, click here.

Step Two:

Fact fluency is developed most efficiently by children who experience numbers in their everyday lives.  (Me check the research on this)

Having your child do targeted practice in fact fluency should not be the only approach.  It’s just as important to use numbers during everyday experiences.   The blog here at S’more Teachable Moments is committed to helping you recognize teachable moments.  Here are two posts that involve numbers:  Math Story Telling and License Plate Math.  I will be adding many more during the months ahead, so check back often. 

When you click the link to receive the Math Sprints set, I will also include a free PDF to walk you through a simple step-by-step process for turning everyday experiences into number moments.

You and I may not hesitate when prompted to answer 5+6 because we’ve learned it by now.  What research reveals is that how we learned it determined the depth of our mathematical understanding.  Despite what you believe, you don’t need to be an expert to help your child with this.  You don’t need a degree in mathematics, to notice where numbers are hidden in your child’s everyday experiences.  Sure, you may need to practice.  You don’t need a degree in teaching to have a conversation with your child about how numbers that surround your experiences.

I like to think that developing fact fluency is a process similar to the training of an athlete. 

Athletes train their muscles to respond automatically during a sport.  They cross train and over train in order to enhance their performance.  When we watch an athlete perform, it looks automatic and efficient. 

Strong fact fluency is developed from cross training with numbers during everyday experiences as well as targeted training in specific mental strategies (moves).  Doing both enhances fact fluency at a deeper level than just the accuracy and efficiency that is observable on the surface.

The hardest thing you might encounter as you try to help your child grow confident in fact fluency is just making it happen.  Scheduling 7 minutes a couple days a week to make the Math Sprints happen.  Recognizing the math in the moments you spend with your child. 

I hope this post provides you with information that will strengthen your child’s fact fluency. 

May you have s’more teachable moments with your child!

Ron