How to Develop Math Fact Fluency and Why Use Rocket Math to do
it? Don Crawford, Ph.D.
Orientation to how Rocket Math runs 1. Starts with initial
assessmentsthis is how you make sure students will start out
successfully. 2. There is a daily routine which remains the same
throughout the program. 3. Weekly assessments monitor progressthis
is how you know that the program is being successful.
Why teach math facts to automaticity (in summary)? Because
helping students learn math facts to automaticity will improve
their ability to learn and retain higher order math skills.
Students who are automatic with math facts wont be distracted by
trying to remember or figure out math facts while attempting more
complex problems.
Son of Why Teach Math Facts? Far from eliminating need for it,
calculators assume reliable, quick fact knowledge to monitor
correctness of answers. Understanding manipulations of fractions
requires instant recognition of facts. How are 3 2 6 8 4 5 7 the
same? 9 6 18 24 12 15 21 Reducing 8/24 to 1/3 shouldnt be MAGIC
High school students who dont know multiplication facts end up
unable to succeed in Algebra.
Why dont most children learn math facts well? Facts are the
simplest level of learning. Whats so hard? Only 2 things are hard!
1. Facts are usually introduced too fast compared to the amount of
practice each student needs to reach automaticity. 2. The
correction procedure used during practice is ineffective.
Rocket Math is effective because it solves both of these
problems. Controls the rate at which facts are introduced based on
student mastery. Peer practice provides the effective kind of
corrective feedback.
Rocket Math teaches only 2 facts (and reverses) at a time With
enough practice any student can learn Known automatically Like name
No intervening thought process Instantly without hesitation Daily
test assesses to insure automaticity with accumulated body of
facts. Once the test shows that the student is at mastery, Rocket
Math adds two more facts to be learned
Small steps to Mastery in Rocket Math Heres how we get students
to automaticity. Set A in Addition is 1+2, 2+1, 1+3, and 3+1.
Practice 2-3 minutes with peer tutor. Take a one-minute timing. If
successful, move on to Set B the next day. Set B in Addition is
1+4, 4+1, 1+5, and 5+1. Practice with peer for 2-3 minutes aloud.
Take a one-minute timing (includes Sets A & B). If successful,
move on to Set C. If not, repeat Set B again tomorrow. Like feeding
mush to a babyyou wait until theyve got the last bit down before
you feed them more!
Peer tutors provide effective corrections during practice
Students practice with peer tutors who have answer keys and provide
corrections. Tutors correct errors AND hesitations.
(p. 14 in the Teacher Directions) How does the checker check?
Whenever there is an error or hesitation: Correction procedure has
3 steps: 1. Jumps in, says problem, and gives correct answer (4
times 3 is 12). 2. Asks student to repeat problem and answer more
than once. (Say it 3 times.) 3. Checker directs student to go back
three problems and begin again. (Go back three problems.)
Why Rocket Math ? Design has years of success Author has used
and trained the program in many, many classrooms Program is
completely organized Takes less than 10 minutes per day Systematic
way to make math facts practice a part of daily classroom routine
Children enjoy the success they have
