Throwback Thursday ~ Math Fact Fluency

We started our summer day **letting** our own kids choose a timed math program from our TpT Shop… They have got to memorize their math facts this summer, and it seemed the easiest and most fun way to get it done!

And, they had a blast..

They also agreed to practice every day from now until school starts…

On only one condition…

They would do it ONLY if we put them all on sale for you.

Stinkers! But, we’re happy to oblige…

So, now through June 30th you can grab any of our timed math programs for HALF OFF. Kids Win!

In case you’re looking for a few more ideas and freebies for building math fact fluency, here are a few Throwback Thursday posts for you…Enjoy!

Originally Posted January 27, 2013 ~ Fact Power!

Look! Up in the Sky! ~

It’s a Bird . . .

It’s a Plane . . .

No-

It’s FACTMAN !!!

Fact-Who?

Huh?

Friday happened to be “Superhero Spirit Day” at school. It was also the day our math lesson was titled, “Fact Power”…Sometimes we just cannot plan things better ourselves!

We have given ample warning about needing to memorize our addition facts in first grade. Yes, it is developmental. And, no not every child is ready for the abstract world of numbers and symbols. But, exposure is important, and we’ve found with a little shove nudge to practice, practice, practice most kids are able to demonstrate their FACT POWER in no time! We share this with parents at Back to School Night at the beginning of the school year, and even purchase them their own set of no excuses flashcards for home. You can read about it and grab free flashcard box labels for yourself {here}.

A few weeks ago, our So Cal Bloggy Buddy Kate over at Second Grade Sparkle shared a fabulous review game that she’s used for years with her class. This little game can be used for anything! She explains it in great detail {here}

This week, we tried it with our class and they loved it! Students were given flashcards with equations on them. They could walk fly around the room and tell a friend, “I am 2+5. I equal 7. Who are you?” They continued flying from friend to friend, repeating their equation and answer at each stop.

After a few rounds, we switched cards with a friend and got a new equation. In true Super Villain Teacher fashion, we then switched it up and had them greet their fellow Factman or Factwoman with, “I am 2+5. Who am I? Their friend would have to Save the Day and supply them with the answer. We even threw our own capes on and had a card of our own for friends to come introduce themselves to us. We tried to destroy their superpowers by “accidentally” saying the wrong answer just to keep them on their tights toes. We were taken down…They HAVE the Power (He-man anyone?).

Once they felt totally invincible, we introduced them to our Big Fish Math program.

You know the Villain never really goes down the first time…

We give timed addition tests to our class twice a week. This is about all we can handle for grading purposes…We’re weak in that superpower…

We’ve created a class set of folders for use year after year.

Though everyone starts off at +0, they work at their own pace through the facts from there. This is where the folders maintain their privacy. Nobody needs to reveal their own Fact Power.

We set the folders up on our desks and give one minute to complete their quiz for the day. If they pass, they earn a “Bubble” on their “Big Fish Math Board”.

If they do not pass, they continue to practice and retake the test until they do. We send home another set of flashcards for extra home practice, and provide opportunities for learning in class by providing them with manipulatives, number grids or whatever other superpower they need to be successful.

If they really struggle, we modify the tests for them by cutting or folding them in half.

There’s lots of different ways to stay organized, but this little box has worked great for us. We created tabs for each set of tests. There are both A and B versions for kids who sit next to each other and may have X-Ray vision during their facts quiz.

The orange dots are placed on every 5th tab. This indicates that they earn a little incentive!

It absolutely doesn’t have to be food, but we find something thematic keeps them motivated to learn their facts! We let them eat during class. They really feel like they HAVE the power!

We’re using Big Fish Math in our class this year because it goes with our ocean theme, but we’ve also created thematic Timed Math Programs for Baseball, Circus, Pirate and Bubble Gum Themes.

Once your kiddos have mastered addition, we have subtraction and multiplication programs too!

*Click on the picture below to check them out*

Originally Posted September 13, 2012 ~ Got Flashcards?

Two Dollar Trees, a bit of after work traffic, two starving kids in the back seat with loads of homework waiting until later,

And we’ve got them!

{insert hint of sarcasm…just in case you didn’t catch it in our voice}

Thursday is Back to School Night for us – Better known to some of you as, “Meet the Teacher”, “Parent Night” or “Summer’s Done, Get Over It Night!”. It is our chance to talk to BIG people.

In little chairs.

At Back to School Night, our parents receive a gift.

From the heart.

Aren’t they all?

We grab a set of flashcards for each student at the Dollar Tree.

Did we mention we had to go to two different stores tonight?

Oh, okay…

Just checking.

And, no we are not going to discuss the fact that we waited until the last minute and this is completely our own fault.

Ok…

We will!

We usually hand these out at our parent conferences in October, but we decided to give them out early so families can start practicing.

Having this idea is not the problem.

Having this idea last night at 9:30pm when we had to be at school at 7:30am is a bit of a problem.

Finding only 4 at one store (not getting them), traveling to another store several miles away to find only 16 (getting them), then returning to the first store to get the original 4 (got them!!)…Yep, problem!

We know what you’re thinking…

The REAL problem is we only needed to buy 20!!

Please don’t hate us…

We’ve gotten your emails.

We feel your pain.

We actually have 21 students.

And, some of them are REALLY tall.

And, our classroom is small…or, we mean…cramped…we mean…little…

~Oh Geez~

Who are we kidding?

We know. We’re lucky.

You “30 Plussers” can hate.

In a nice way…please

We created labels for the flashcard boxes with a catchy phrase so they get the hint they understand why they are receiving this special gift. All gifts should come with a card right? It’s proper etiquette!

We print the labels on sheets that have 6 labels to a page.

We used Avery #5164, but we admit…sometimes we just print them on plain old paper, chop them on our paper cutter, and good old fashion glue them on. We’re so old school!

We stick the labels to the front of the box and add a binder ring to the hole in the package.

We encourage parents to punch holes in the top left corner of each flashcard and stick them on the ring.

Now…

They’ve got flashcards to go!

And presents!

And, we’re happy!

Because they promise they are going to practice!

And, them?

Their faces are in shock.

We think this might be the best present they’ve EVER received!

They’re speechless!

We’re so happy!!!