Wingdale Elementary School’s Students are…

Mastering Math Facts! Dr. Donald B. Crawford- Program Author

Mastering Math Facts is a daily classroom program that teaches children how to Practice AND Memorize the Addition and Subtraction Facts (Facts to 20)

Mastering Math Facts Has a sequential presentation of only two new facts and their inverses each level. Is cumulative. New facts are added to and practiced with facts that are already mastered. Allows children to move at their own pace. INSISTS children learn the facts to an automatic level.

What is the “automatic level”? The automatic level of learning is the ability to do something without thinking about the steps involved.

Stages of Learning Accuracy 2. Fluency 3. Automaticity We can do something correctly if we take our time and concentrate. 2. Fluency We can do the task quickly without mistakes. This comes after much practice. 3. Automaticity We can perform the task without giving any real thought to the steps involved.

Learning Math Facts MUST go through all the stages! Children are not asked to memorize their facts until we are sure they understand the concepts of addition and subtraction. Wingdale students do not begin this program until at least November of FIRST GRADE.

Why Do We Need to Know Our Facts Automatically without using our fingers ? without using a number line? without counting out counters? without drawing pictures? without using the calculator?

BECAUSE… Future success in math is dependent on knowing the basic facts so well that the correct answers just come to you, without your having to compute them each time. Your brain is able to devote more attention to more complex operations or multi-step problems.

Just consider a 3rd grade math problem. 1 1 9 8 7 + 4 6 7 or _______ 1 4 5 4 6 11 14 7 2 4 - 5 8 6 _________ 1 3 8

So How Will We Teach Our Children To Be Automatic With the Basic Math Facts? Students get a leveled practice page each day. Every level adds 2 new facts to what they already know. Children practice using the top half during their “Paired Practice.” Bottom half will be their “One Minute Timing”.

Paired Practice The Student reads facts and answers aloud from practice page. The Checker follows along in answer book. After 90 seconds, they switch roles.

The “Checker” Watches and listens for any errors or hesitations. Stops “student” and immediately gives correct answer ! “Student” repeats correct fact and answer and Goes back 3 facts and starts again

The One Minute Timing The daily opportunity to show what we have mastered Ready-Set-GO Teacher allows class ONE MINUTE to write the answers to facts on their individual practice sheets.

Switch and Check Student Pairs correct each other’s one minute timing. Each mistake is crossed out and the correct answer is written next to it. Partner’s practice sheet Answer book

Did You Make Your Goal? If the student got his goal number correct- He can color in the next level on your rocket. Tomorrow he will work on the next level’s two new facts. Scanned rocket

If the Student Hasn’t Reached His Goal… He needs to Take home today’s corrected “One Minute Timing” sheet. Practice tonight with an adult for at least 5 minutes.

How Should You Practice Math Facts With Your Child? Have child sit with top half of practice sheet in front of him. Be sure it has no answers. (Fold under the corrected “one minute timing” bottom half.)

Review the NEW Facts on the top of the sheet. BE SURE THEY ARE CORRECT! 3. Have your child read each fact aloud and then say the answers.

LISTEN for Hesitations or Errors If child hesitates or makes an error… STOP HIM IMMEDIATELY! Give extra practice on that fact by having child repeat the fact and correct answer several times. Then back up 3 facts and have your child begin again. REPEAT Back up 3 facts 3 2 1

Keep the Practice Sessions Short Don’t work anymore than FIVE minutes. If you wish to practice more- wait at least an hour- or try it again in the morning. When memorizing facts 2 short sessions are more helpful than one long session.

Success and Recognition School announcements School assemblies Picture posted on “Math Fact Stars” Bulletin Board Periodic newspaper coverage

PLEASE help us help your child Master the Math Facts! Practice Every Night. Praise and Encourage Their Achievements. Expect Success!