A: In think!Mathematics and at Mathodology our approach to math fact fluency centers around best practice. The research that shows that students move through three phases in developing fluency with basic facts: counting (phase 1), reasoning strategies (phase 2), and mastery (phase 3) (Baroody, 2006 and Bay-Williams, 2019). Instruction and assessment must help students through these phases without rushing them. It is true that mastering math facts are important, however, research shows that “drill and kill” memorization is not the best route for students. When we attach labels to mathematics such as speed and memorization we create a culture that is missing the beauty of numbers.
We support students as they move through these 3 phases and are intentional about which set of facts they are working on and in which order. Foundational facts must be mastered first. Once students are automatic with these sets of facts, then they can begin to engage in the strategy work and then practice with games that are fun and intentional. Practice at home should be strategy based, intentional and most of all fun! This would not include timed tests or flashcards.
“Fluency” is defined as:
Appropriate strategy selection (students can explain an efficient strategy for each given fact)
Flexibility (students are flexible in which strategies they apply to which facts)
Efficiency (with ease, and generally in less than 3 seconds)
Accuracy (the correct answer)
Addition basic facts are all facts up through 10 + 10. Multiplication basic facts are all facts up through 10 x 10. The goal is that students become fluent in these facts which does not mean they recite the answer with rote memorization.
In summary, for a child to be considered fluent they must answer the question quickly and correctly and be able to explain a strategy that can be used to solve the fact and then apply that strategy to new problems.
If schools adopt our program and purchase the premium online Mathodology toolkit, they have access to strategy based fluency games, quicklooks, parent home links, assessment interviews, and other resources.