Chapter 10

Helping Students Master the Basic Facts

 

 

Reasoning Strategies for Addition Facts

·         One More Than and Two More Than

·         Adding Zero

·         Using 5 as an Anchor

·         Make 10: combinations that make 10

·         Up Over 10:

·         Doubles

·         Near Doubles

·         Reinforcing Reasoning Strategies; the big idea of developing reasoning strategies is helping students more away from counting to becoming more efficient in recalling facts quickly and correctly.

Reasoning Strategies for Subtraction Facts

·         Subtraction as Think-Addition

·         Down Over 10

·          Take from the 10

Reasoning Strategies for Multiplication and Division Facts

·         Doubles

·         Zeros and Ones

·         Nifty Nines

·         Using Known Facts to Derive Other Facts

·         Division Facts: 1) think multiplication and then 2) apply a multiplication reasoning fact, as needed.

Fact Remediation

1.        Recognize that more drill will not work.

2.        Provide hope.

3.        Inventory the known and unknown facts for each student in need.

4.        Diagnose strengths and weaknesses.

5.        Focus on reasoning strategies.

What to Do When Teaching Basic Facts

1.        Ask students to self-monitor.

2.        Focus on self-improvement.

3.        Drill in short time segments.

4.        Work on facts over time.

5.        Involve families.

6.        Make drill enjoyable.

7.        Use technology.

8.        Emphasize the importance of quick recall of facts.

What NOT to Do When Teaching Basic Facts

1.        Don’t use lengthy timed tests.

2.        Don’t use public comparisons of mastery.

3.        Don’t proceed through the facts in order from 0 to 9.

4.        Don’t work on all facts all at once.

5.        Don’t move to memorization too soon.

6.        Don’t use facts as a barrier to good mathematics.

7.        Don’t use fact mastery as a prerequisite for calculator use.