First grade is excited to be launching, "Fact Power!". "Fact Power" is the name the first grade has given to the dedicated time that we will be spending each week working on our fact fluency skills. Fact fluency is a vital component to the future success of any student, not only in the areas of more advanced mathematics, but in everyday life as well.
As we build up our fact power, we will be learning certain addition strategies by heart, and will become experts at knowing, not only what the sum of two numbers is, but why the sum is what it is. Our facts are just like our trick words. We know them in our brains and in our hearts. We can immediately identify them and understand their purpose in context. These addition strategies will be taught sequentially, with each student spending their independent as well as small-group time working on the strategy that meets them where they are! Math games and activities will be provided to support each strategy and our strategies will also be applied to word problems. Progress with these facts will be measured by periodic math "check-ins" (short, untimed quizzes) and frequent verbal practice. Be on the lookout for +1 and +2 flashcards coming home in homework packets this week! When you quiz your students, make sure you are asking them why 7+1=8, not just what the sum of 7+1 is. This deeper thought about numbers and frequent practice will help to refine number sense and automaticity which is invaluable!
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AuthorMusings of a Grade 1 teacher. Outlet for exciting "goings-on" in the classroom. Archives
May 2018
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