Computation: Learning Math Facts

By Corina Kropp

I read a few articles on the importance of students learning math facts and found some
strategies which I believe would be very beneficial to use with students who learn in different
ways. Math facts are a necessary building blocks for more complex calculations, “Math facts
are basic calculations that children can learn in order to help them do arithmetic more quickly.
By committing math facts to memory, they can be recalled fluently so attention is freed for
working on higher order math functions.” (Cicerchia, [n.d])

Because I work in an elementary school I am very interested in the importance of math facts
and how to cater to the learning styles of all students. Number Sense in the precursor to
obtaining math facts and in the In one article I read, I was intrigued by this statement: “poor
early number sense predicts math LDs in later grades.” (Cicerchia, [n.d])I will keep this in mind
when planning intervention and one-on-one instruction with students at young ages. Number
Sense is a crucial first step.

Here are some fun games to try with all learners and would benefit the striving learners very well.
Alternative strategies would help greatly because students learn in different ways. I love the
varied approaches in the ideas listed below. They serve the multiple intelligences (learning style)
very well.

Strategy Description Learning Style

Commutative Property The idea that numbers can Logical/ Mathematical
be added or multiplied in any
order: 2+4=4+2, 5x6=6x5

Skip Counting Using a hundreds chart and Visual/ Verbal

using plastic chips or buttons
to mark patterns: they can
also do this orally.

Part-whole Relationships Students can see how two Visual/Logical

parts make up a number by
placing them on a specific
chart

Jump and Hop Math Facts Use the game of hopscotch Physical/ Kinaeshetic/Verbal
to drill students on their math
facts. Students call out math
facts as they are hopping.

Fact Families Cards* Can be use for Visual/Logical

addition/subtraction and
multiplication/division to show
the relationship between
numbers.

Create Trading Cards with Students make and trade Visual/Verbal/Social/Auditory

Math Facts cards with their classmates.
They can drill each other.

Math Toss Student calls answer before Verbal/ Kinaesthetic

catching balloon or ball. Call
out a math fact and the
student must call out the
answer before catching the
balloon or ball.

Computers or mobile devices Online drills and games such Combination

as Mathletics
 Fact Flash Tag List the answers to several Visual/ Verbal
math facts on the
whiteboard. Dim the lights.
Give student a flashlight and
call out math facts. The goal
is for the student to answer as
quickly as possible by shining
their flashlight on the correct
answer.

Fact of the day For students having a Combination

problem with just a few facts.
Focus on one a day and ask
the student to answer
multiple times a day. This
becomes the password

*I plan on introducing these Math Family Cards to a couple of students next week. I think that this
visual of how numbers go together will benefit the students I am thinking of greatly.
https://teachbesideme.com/printable-math-fact-families-cards/

https://demmelearning.com/learning-blog/make-memorizing-math-facts-fun-with-these-10-activities/

Resources:

Kubas, H. and Hale, J. LDs in Mathematics: Evidence-Based Interventions, Strategies,

and Resources. [n.d] LD @school [website] Retrieved from:
https://www.ldatschool.ca/evidence-based-interventions-for-math/

Altland, Scottie. Make Memorizing Math Facts Fun with these 10 Activities. November 2,
2015. Demme Learning [blog]. Retrieved from: https://demmelearning.com/learning-
blog/make-memorizing-math-facts-fun-with-these-10-activities/
Cicerchia, Meredith. Teaching Math Facts. [n.d.] Read and Spell [blog]. Retrieved from:
https://www.readandspell.com/teaching-math-facts