Evidence Based Practices & Resources

A focus on math

Each week I will begin to highlight evidence-based practices you can implement without much planning in each content area.

This year Karen Wirtz, our amazing Math Intervention Teacher, and myself, your Instructional Coach, will be focusing on Building Math Fluency with students. Some of the activities highlighted here are what Karen has been modeling in classrooms.

Click the image below on the left to access a FREE 6 Part Video Series on Developing True Math Fluency with Students. The 6 videos run about 90 minutes in total. These would be great to watch in parts with your PLC Teams, and I would love to support some of that work. The image on the right will give you a FREE guide that goes along with the video series.

Scrolling down you will find connections to Bridges and videos of fun and quick activities to start your year. Most images are clickable and will take you to further info.

The UDL Learning Goal These Evidence Based Practices Can Accomplish

Students will develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills, allowing them to approach math problems with confidence and resilience. By engaging in enjoyable, hands-on activities that build critical mathematical thinking, students will establish a solid foundation that will support their success in math across all grade levels, without relying on worksheets and timed tests.

Below you will find an anchor chart on Alternative Ways to Build Fluency .

This is a great chart to save as a reminder of evidence based practice.

There is also an article with a Connection to Bridges Math that further examines the Timed Fluency Activity of Quick Facts and some research-based alternatives.

evidence based activities you can teach now

tla-timed-fluency_0.pdf

Timed Fluency Tests and Bridges Article

This article outlines alternatives to the Quick Facts Routine in Bridges and Number Corner. This routine was established as a timed "fluency", wanting students to produce correct answers at a rate of 3 seconds per fact.

Research now tells us that there are four elements to fluency: accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, and appropriate strategy selection.

Listed below are activities that are research based on the best ways to learn Math Facts from Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education, co-founder of youcubed. These can be used in place of the Quick Facts in Bridges.