All Things Upper Elementary: Using Backward Timing to Work on Math Fluency

Here we are and the question is short but not simple. What is Fluency with Math Facts?
This idea has been floating around and reappearing in my life for the past few weeks.

  First of all, my daughter has been feverishly working on memorizing her time tables for her weekly quiz. She writes them over and over because she is a visual learner and challenges herself each week to surpass her last week scores. I quiz her in the car and so on and so forth. Fortunately, she is really able to memorize these facts and I taught her a few tricks as well.

  Next, As I go from school to school I see a variety of different timed tests at my schools. I see students talking about the Friday tests and how they are going to do. I see cool bulletin boards and other visuals to show student progress on memorizing facts. MEMORIZING FACTS I thought we were moving away from this type of learning with CCSS. Well we can't yet move until we have something to replace it with.

After this I read, well kinda skimmed this article because I knew I already agreed with this idea,
http://joboaler.com/timed-tests-and-the-development-of-math-anxiety/ which was sent to me via my work email.  It basically says that we should not use timed tests because we are created a culture of students with math anxiety.

 Then, last night reading this blog made me think! Yes, I Think! sometimes. What an amazing idea and a great way to differentiate math fluency without the anxiety and such a simple twist on what we are already doing, Backward Timing. Here is the blogpost it is quite simple and quite amazing. It involves goals setting and really brings into play the idea of gamification. Students are trying to beat their own levels to get to the highest level they can. Not to receive a lollipop on Friday but to progress to the next level.

All Things Upper Elementary: Using Backward Timing to Work on Math Fluency

Finally, in conclusion this is a great idea that I felt was worth sharing. If I had a classroom this would truly be something I incorporated into my Math Workshop!!!

One final thought to further encourage students and make this a positive experience. I wanted to link up with  Head Over Heels for Teaching. There are some great Shout out Cards! This would be a great way to have students reflect and provide feedback to their peers progress. Check it out by clicking the image below. You will love it simple and Edusational!