Basic fact fluency has always been of interest to elementary school teachers and is particularly relevant because a wide variety of supplementary materials of varying quality exist for this topic. This article unpacks eight common unproductive practices with basic facts instruction and assessment.
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Amanda Helgerson
This department provides a space for current and past PK–12 teachers of mathematics to connect with other teachers of mathematics through their stories that lend personal and professional support.
Amanda K. Riske, Catherine E. Cullicott, Amanda Mohammad Mirzaei, Amanda Jansen, and James Middleton
We introduce the Into Math Graph tool, which students use to graph how “into" mathematics they are over time. Using this tool can help teachers foster conversations with students and design experiences that focus on engagement from the student’s perspective.
Jennifer Marshall
A series of tasks encourage students to reflect on the reasonableness of their number sense and use benchmarks to refine their estimations.
Theresa J. MacVicar, Amy R. Brodesky, and Emily R. Fagan
A teacher uses formative assessment interviews to uncover evidence of students’ understandings and to plan targeted instruction in a mathematics intervention class. We present an example of a student interview, a discussion of the benefits and challenges of conducting interviews, and actionable suggestions for implementing them.
Gina Kling and Jennifer M. Bay-Williams
Have you had it with timed tests, which present a number of concerns and limitations? Try a variety of alternative assessments from this sampling that allows teachers to accurately and appropriately measure childre's fact fluency.
Dorothy Varygiannes
This department publishes brief news articles, announcements, and guest editorials on current mathematics education issues that stimulate the interest of TCM readers and cause them to think about an issue or consider a specific viewpoint. This month's guest editorial provides the platform for individuals to reflect on the positive impact that open-ended tasks can play in the teaching and learning of early mathematics. Classroom examples of open-ended expectations establish the immediate tie to fostering both 21st century skills and the Common Core State initiatives.
Kathy A. Bacon
Presented with a variety of palatable, inquiry-based, creative learning choices in geometry, this teacher and her fifth graders found tremendous satisfaction in meeting target goals for reasoning skills and taking important “next steps” in learning.
