Facts "From Memory"

Students must first conceptually understand the fact strategies (doubles, doubles plus one, combinations of ten,etc. They need LOTS of experience and time with these strategies. Reference your Proficiency Scales for resources that help students learn and engage in the various strategies. If you haven't what "From Memory vs. From Memorization"--take 5 minutes!

Then, we use these strategies to link to fluency. This means they are able to be flexible, efficient, and accurate! These strategies are based on place value, properties, and the relationship! Assessment is key when moving from strategies to fluency and then to "from memory"! Which facts do students know and NOT know with fluency? Too often we give students a random fact practice sheet with hopes that this will lead to fluency. It is essential that we have a systematic method for assessing what strategies they are using or not using, as this can assist with moving them to fluency and "from memory".

What About Using Xtra Math?

What is XtraMath?

XtraMath is a free web-based program that focuses on the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts. Student practice sessions should be at maximum 10 minutes.

Becky's Thoughts Regarding XtraMath

XtraMath should not be used if students have not experienced the strategies. As Graham Fletcher said in the "From Memory vs. Memorization" video, we do not just want kids memorizing facts without any connection to understanding and strategies. They will NOT hold onto remembering these facts if they do not have the understanding, not will memorization tell us anything about these mathematical knowledge/skills/ability to apply.

If students don't know the strategies, they will not "magically" learn the strategies through more Xtra Math. More Xtra Math is not going to help them learn the strategies. Rather, students need to engage in meaningful learning activities, discourse, and CPA connections to move from strategies, to fluency, and then to "from memory". Then, as they step back into Xtra Math, you will likely see some progress in their "from memory".

Pay attention to the data....analyze the grid within Xtra Math. Which facts do students KNOW and DON'T KNOW? If they know their doubles for addition, (diagonal across the grid), but aren't connecting this to doubles plus or minus 1, this is helpful info regarding what you can focus instruction on for these students.

NOTE: Time is so valuable. We have to always ask ourselves whether what we are having kiddos do is helping kids move their learning forward AND will this help them make sense of the math, so they will "remember" this later.