Math Fact Fluency Practice

A couple years ago I started using number dots to help teach my students how to add and subtract.  It has made a HUGE difference with my student's math fact fluency.  I no longer have students adding and subtracting with their fingers!

Once my students get the hang of adding and subtracting using the number dots, I have them start working on their fact fluency.  I want them to be able to recall their facts quickly, accurately, and effortlessly without having to use the dots anymore.

This year to help my students build their fact fluency I made printable addition and subtraction flash cards for my students to practice their math facts with.  The flash cards have the dots on the numbers incase they get stuck and need them, but their goal is to work towards knowing their facts without having to use the dots.

As we work on learning how to add or subtract by each number I give each one of my students their own set of flash cards.  I made each + or - fact fit on one page so I don't have a lot of copies to make each time.  I also copy each page front to back so the answers print on the back side of each flash card.

Here is an example of what the full page (front and back) looks like.

I pass the page out to my students and they are in charge of cutting out each individual flash card.

After they have cut out their flash cards they come to my desk and get them hole punched.  I give them a paper clip to attach their cards together with.

I like to copy each set of flash cards on different color paper.  This helps the students keep their sets together.  You can use construction paper, card stock, or regular printer paper to copy the flash cards on.  

It's also important that each student writes their name or initial on the back side of each flash card.  That way if one if found on the floor we know whose set it belongs to.

Here's how each set looks once it is cut out.  The students will eventually work towards mixing all their flash cards together as they become more fluent with each + or - fact.

In Class Practice with the Flash Cards

The flash cards are a perfect activity for the students to do when they finish their work early and/or have some free time during class.  Since the flash cards have the answers on the back the students can check their work as they are practicing. 

The flash cards also come with two sorting cards: a "Facts I Know" and a "Facts I Need to Learn" card.  As the students practice their flash cards they can separate the facts into the two piles.  They can then focus on the "Facts I Need to Learn" pile as they practice the second time through.

Homework Practice with the Flash Cards

I've also used these flash cards as homework practice for students.  Simply have your students put all their flash cards in a Ziploc bag to transfer them to and from school.

The parents can document their child's fluency homework practice each night on the recording page that's sent home each week.

Another thing I've done with the flash cards is print out the pages and hand them to parents during parent/teacher conferences.  These flash cards are perfect practice for those students who need extra help with their fact fluency. 

I also include parent notes with the flash card pages.  The parent notes explain what number dots are, what fact fluency is/why it's important, and ways they can help their child at home improve their fluency.

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I've had so many requests for these printable flash cards in not only addition and subtraction, but multiplication and division!  I now have them all!  I've also made addition and subtraction flash cards that do not have the number dots on them.  Each set also comes with the parent notes and a set of medium sized flash cards. 

Check out the links below:

Click HERE to download my Addition Flash Cards with Number Dots

Click HERE to download my Subtraction Flash Cards with Number Dots

Click HERE to download my Addition Flash Cards for Facts 0-12.

Click HERE to download my Subtraction Flash Cards for Facts 0-12.

Click HERE to download my Multiplication Flash Cards.

Click HERE to download my Division Flash Cards.

Just ADDED!

Addition Flash Cards for Facts 0-20!

AND

Subtraction Flash Cards for Facts 0-20!

In Class Fact Fluency Practice

Not only do I have my students practice their math facts at their desk with their small size flash cards.  I also have different opportunities during class time that they work on practicing their fact fluency.  I made medium sized flash cards to use during these times to have my students practice with.

Math Centers

During math center time, one out of my eight math centers is always focused on practicing fact fluency.  I just change out the fact fluency activities I place at that center throughout the year.

One of the activities I place at this center is of course flash cards.  Having the flash cards attached to the book ring makes holding the flash cards for the students so much easier.  It also prevents a huge pile of disorganized flash cards!

Here are the book rings I use:

You can also have your students take the flash cards off of the ring.  My students love to make up games and challenges using the flash cards.  Their favorite is to race to see who in their group can solve the problem first.  The person who solves the problem the fastest gets the card.  They love seeing how many cards they can get.

I also like to change up the flash cards.  I have a set with the math problems written horizontally and a set with the math problems written vertically.

 

Whole Group Practice

Since the flash cards are attached to a book ring it makes taking the cards with me as we go places super convenient.  I grab a deck of cards as we go on bathroom breaks, while we wait in line as a class, etc.  I can just flip through the cards as my students quietly tell me the answer.  It gives them something productive to do during those "wait" times and helps with classroom management during those times.

Digital Smartboard Flash Cards

Another whole group fluency activity I have my students do is digital flash cards!  I simply open the flash card PowerPoint file and display them on my Smartboard.  I just click through the slides.  The answers appear so the students can check their answers.  These digital flash cards also make a great student-led activity when you need to get something done real quick.

Click on the slide to make the answer appear.

Click HERE to read more about my digital flash cards or  

Click HERE to download my digital flash cards!