Print out number lines and Fact Sheets for your students (available in the menu). Use the number lines, Fact Sheets, and the following formula to help the students discover their basic math facts:
Addition: Have the students start at x on the number line and count up y to get to z (in other words, move to the right y spaces).
Subtraction: Have the students start at x on the number line and count down y to get to z (in other words, move to the left y spaces).
Multiplication: Have the students start at zero on the number line and take y jumps of x to get to z.
Division: Have the students start at x on the number line and prove that y jumps of z will get them back to zero.
Allow students to use the Fact Sheets as they play FactFreaks. Have them use highlighters to mark any facts they struggle with; they’ll create personalized lists of the facts they still need to work on as they go.
This will enable them to learn their facts without a stoppage of gameplay. Once they can play for a minute without mistakes, encourage them to play FactFreaks.
Students must be able to correctly complete 40 facts per minute to be considered proficient with basic math facts. Students who do so should be rewarded for achieving this all- important educational milestone! (Also, feel free to reward them for any other milestones along the way!)
As a general rule, students should reach Full-Speed in Addition by the end of 1st grade, Subtraction by the end of 2nd grade, Multiplication by the end of 3rd grade, and Division by the end of 4th grade.
Full-Speed in Scrambler by the end of 5th grade and Impossible Scrambler by the end of 6th grade are also recommended.
“Do as I say, not as I do” has never worked as an educational strategy. Students need to see you playing FactFreaks yourself - and yes, even struggling with it from time to time - if they are to get the idea that math fact proficiency is a crucial skill that all humans need, not just children.
Overview: Players stand in a circle and try to stump each other with basic math facts. Last one standing wins.
Give the kids (and yourself) a break at the end of the workweek by having them play FactFreaks or Freak Out on Fridays.
Imagine: they’ll be getting some “down time” and sharpening their math skills at the same time!
There are 400 basic math facts to learn. (Compare that to the 26 letters of the alphabet!) FactFreaks is the fastest possible way to memorize these facts, but it’s still going to take time - and lots of patient encouragement.
Also, prepare for a little “FactFreaks frustration” from time to time. FactFreaks requires perfection with basic math facts and this can be frustratingly difficult to achieve. A little break every so often is highly recommended.