Those who made it to the middle school open house may remember a slide about common sticking points in middle school math education. It is well known that math fact fluency, fractions and algebra are the key difficulties. I teach algebra 1 to the seventh graders so I will have lots of evidence on the particular needs of each student. But I do not currently have much indication of the achievement levels or needs of students with respect to fractions and fact fluency.
In order to begin filling in this gap all of the 4th - 8th graders took a 5 minute multiplication assessment today. Prior to the quick quiz we spoke about the importance of moving single digit multiplication problems out of the "thinking" part of the brain and into long term memory. The more cognitive resources students have free the better they will be able to think about more difficult abstract concepts, especially in algebra and geometry. We also made the connection to meditation. Worry eats up cognitive resources in a similar way to the process produced by a lack of fact fluency.
We meditate to reduce worry and free up our brains for other types of thinking. So too we work to memorize our math facts to free up our brains for more abstract concepts.
I will begin implementing a research based method of teaching multiplication fluency called Cover, Copy and Compare. I am also looking into adaptive computer programs that efficiently identify which facts need practice and provide engaging tasks that improve skills.
Soon I will begin the same process of assessment and meeting needs for proficiency with fractions.
