No-Bull Approach to Number Facts

Since handheld calculators first appeared on students’ desks in the 1970s, there has been a push to relegate memorisation of times tables to the history books.

Would you say this is producing better maths results? No, I thought not.

Frankly, replacing number fact recall with mindless button pushing on calculators has been a disaster wherever this experiment has been tried. Kids in many classrooms today simply don’t have a clue what a fact like “3 times 6” equals, and this fundamental lack of basic mathematical knowledge is holding them back from making further progress in maths.

I’m certain you know that maths fluency (and NAPLAN numeracy scores) rest on a solid foundation of knowing all the basic +/- facts to 20, and x/÷ to 100. And to achieve that for all your students, you are going to have to use a system.

Four-step process for generating fool-proof memorisation of number facts:

1.  Teach strategies for visualising and thinking smartly about sets of facts that go together (doubles, rainbow facts, etc.)

2.  Use carefully sequenced sets of practice exercises, done at least 4 days a week, to target one strategy at a time, building up to knowing all the facts

3.  Extend strategies to larger examples like 60+70

4.  Set expectations high, refuse to allow calculators to replace memorisation

At QUEDREX, Classroom Professor is launching 20 eBooks for teaching all basic facts in Years 2-6.

Visit our stand at the Queensland Education Resources Expo on the 8th and 9th of September for 25% off normal online prices. For further event details and venue information please visit the QUEDREX website.