Math fact fluency: how to teach addition and multiplication facts that stick

Math fact fluency checklist

• Teach facts by strategy (doubles, make ten, times five), not by "the sevens."
• Use ten frames, number lines and arrays to show why strategies work.
• Teach subtraction as think addition, and division as a missing factor.
• Use turn-around facts to halve the number to learn.
• Practice five to ten minutes a day, spread over weeks.
• Focus on three to five new facts mixed with known ones.
• Keep any timed practice short, private and self-referenced.
• Check fluency with strategy interviews, not only timed tests.
• Send families a strategy, a few facts and a five-minute game.

Try this today

1. Doubles and near-doubles war. Each player flips a card (number cards 1 to 9). Instead of comparing, both players say the double of their card, then the near double (double plus one). The fastest correct answer wins the pair. Switch to "make ten" partners later.
2. Quick-look ten frames. Flash a ten frame with some dots filled in for two seconds. Students say how many dots, then how many more make ten. It builds the "make ten" strategy without any written work.
3. Array hunt. Send students on a hunt for arrays: egg cartons, muffin pans, window panes, chocolate bars, seed packets. They sketch each one and write two multiplication facts and two division facts for it.