Math Fast Fact Lists
Click on the button to download your child's math fact list. There are 2 parts. One is labeled “practice” and one is labeled “check”. Your child's list should also be stapled to his/her folder. There are a total of 32 math fact sheets systematically created to help your child meet the common core standard which states first grade students must “demonstrate fluency for addition and subtraction facts within 10."
Research shows that in order for students to memorize math facts, they must first proceed through two stages. First, students should develop a concrete understanding of addition and subtraction problems. This means students should be able to correctly figure out the answers to math problems either by drawing pictures, using objects, using fingers, counting on and back, etc. Throughout kindergarten and the first quarter of first grade, students work hard at mastering this skill. If your child has received a list of math facts to memorize, he/she has this concrete understanding of adding and subtracting for numbers within 10.
Second, students should learn strategies for remembering facts. During the first part of first grade, we work on learning strategies and will continue to add more as students work their way through mastering the 32 lists. Examples of this include: Any number + 0 = that number; Communicative Property (5+2 is the same as 2+5); when adding 1 to any number, the answer is the very next number said when counting; etc. We also learn songs to help us remember the doubles and what makes ten.
At first, 32 lists may seem overwhelming, but they were created to make memorizing the addition and subtraction facts a manageable task. The facts are introduced in groups according to the strategy that helps students remember the facts AND only 4 new facts are introduced on each new list. The 4 new facts can be found at the top of each page. Also, all facts are reviewed every 6 lists which provides another basis for checking mastery.
Students must pass each written assessment in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Each assessment has 36 facts and students can only miss up to 2. At home, when you practice the math facts, it is important that students practice by saying the complete math fact, 4 + 2 = 6, rather than just stating the answers. That is why the “practice” list is on top. I want the students to see the entire fact including the answers so they visualize the entire problem in their mind while working on committing it to memory. When students attempt to study without having the answer included, students tend to “figure out” the answers rather than memorizing each fact as a whole. I do not want to encourage students to figure out the answers quickly, I want them to memorize equations as whole units. Automaticity is achieved when students can answer math facts orally without using fingers and with no hesitation or with no more than a one second delay.
At school, we will work on memorizing the facts and assessing students, but your help at home will greatly increase the rate at which your child improves his/her fluency. If you have any questions, please send me an email or a note in the Home-School Connection. Thanks so much for all you do!
Research shows that in order for students to memorize math facts, they must first proceed through two stages. First, students should develop a concrete understanding of addition and subtraction problems. This means students should be able to correctly figure out the answers to math problems either by drawing pictures, using objects, using fingers, counting on and back, etc. Throughout kindergarten and the first quarter of first grade, students work hard at mastering this skill. If your child has received a list of math facts to memorize, he/she has this concrete understanding of adding and subtracting for numbers within 10.
Second, students should learn strategies for remembering facts. During the first part of first grade, we work on learning strategies and will continue to add more as students work their way through mastering the 32 lists. Examples of this include: Any number + 0 = that number; Communicative Property (5+2 is the same as 2+5); when adding 1 to any number, the answer is the very next number said when counting; etc. We also learn songs to help us remember the doubles and what makes ten.
At first, 32 lists may seem overwhelming, but they were created to make memorizing the addition and subtraction facts a manageable task. The facts are introduced in groups according to the strategy that helps students remember the facts AND only 4 new facts are introduced on each new list. The 4 new facts can be found at the top of each page. Also, all facts are reviewed every 6 lists which provides another basis for checking mastery.
Students must pass each written assessment in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Each assessment has 36 facts and students can only miss up to 2. At home, when you practice the math facts, it is important that students practice by saying the complete math fact, 4 + 2 = 6, rather than just stating the answers. That is why the “practice” list is on top. I want the students to see the entire fact including the answers so they visualize the entire problem in their mind while working on committing it to memory. When students attempt to study without having the answer included, students tend to “figure out” the answers rather than memorizing each fact as a whole. I do not want to encourage students to figure out the answers quickly, I want them to memorize equations as whole units. Automaticity is achieved when students can answer math facts orally without using fingers and with no hesitation or with no more than a one second delay.
At school, we will work on memorizing the facts and assessing students, but your help at home will greatly increase the rate at which your child improves his/her fluency. If you have any questions, please send me an email or a note in the Home-School Connection. Thanks so much for all you do!