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Click here for the fact fluency flowchart, including lessons and games based on targeted instruction and intervention.
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Click here for a folder of games, tasks, and skill builders to support your students in developing fact fluency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fluency in mathematics?
What is fluency in mathematics?
CDE 2013 Math Framework Fluency Definition:
The word fluent is used in the standards to mean “reasonably fast and accurate” and possessing the ability to use certain facts and procedures with enough facility that using such knowledge does not slow down or derail the problem solver as he or she works on more complex problems. Procedural fluency requires skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately. Developing fluency in each grade may involve a mixture of knowing some answers, knowing some answers from patterns, and knowing some answers through the use of strategies.
What are the three phases to learning math facts?
What are the three phases to learning math facts?
Modeling and/or counting to find the answer.
Deriving answers using reasoning strategies based on known facts.
Mastery (efficient production of answers)
For more information, read Enriching Addition and Subtraction Fact Fluency Through Games - NCTM and/or Three Steps to Mastering Math Facts (Multiplication/Division) - NCTM
How do I teach more complex math when they don't know their facts?
How do I teach more complex math when they don't know their facts?
Understand: What skills does the student need to have in order to access the lesson?
Diagnose: Of the skills needed, which does the student need support with?
Take Action: If it is fact fluency that is needed, have the student use an addition or multiplication chart in order to access the lesson. Work on fact fluency through games and tasks during small group instruction or intervention time.
A scaffold is designed to be removed over time. Continue to monitor the student's progress through the three phases of learning their facts, provide practice that is engaging, and encourage them to rely on the scaffold chart less over time. Continue to engage the student in grade level work with scaffolds, to prevent increasing the learning gap.
Where can I read more about fluency?
Where can I read more about fluency?
Start here:
Fluency Without Fear - Jo Boaler
Procedural Fluency in Mathematics: A Position of the NCTM
Assessing Basic Facts Fluency - NCTM
Enriching Addition and Subtraction Fact Fluency Through Games - NCTM
Three Steps to Mastering Math Facts - NCTM
A deeper dive:
The Recovering Traditionalist - Fact Fluency Blog Posts
Gfletchy - Building Fact Fluency
A Research Based Approach to Math Fact Fluency
Fluency Handout - Wisconsin Math Council
The Interleaving Effect - Scientific American
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