Keys to Building Fact Fluency
This roundtable, hosted by Sarah Schaefer from Mathodology and featuring Dr. Jennifer Bay-Williams from the University of Louisville, offers a candid, in-depth look at how students learn math facts—and what really works in developing fact fluency. Jennifer, well known for her fluency books and sought-after NCTM sessions, shares research-driven insights and practical classroom wisdom, tackling a wide range of real educator questions.
If you’re wondering which students struggle most with memorizing math facts, or how strategies like “Make 10” and “Pretend 10” play out for kids with different learning needs, you’ll get clear explanations and actionable advice here. Jennifer breaks down these benchmark strategies, explains their research basis, and shows why they can be especially effective for students who don’t respond to rote memorization.
The discussion also dives into the role of tools like number grids and fact tables, when to move students between different types of strategies, and how to scaffold learning for students at every stage—from beginners using counting strategies, to kids ready for automaticity and beyond. Attention is paid to diverse learners, including those with dyslexia and neurodiversity, with specific stories and tips for making math accessible and confidence-building for all students.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, interventionist, or curriculum leader, the roundtable is both conversational and deeply practical—full of examples from real classrooms and honest answers to tough questions (like what to do if students haven’t mastered their addition facts but need to start multiplication). Expect takeaways you can immediately put to use, a focus on strategy over memorization, and reassuring stories for anyone working with struggling students.
