Math Races

If you ask middle school math teachers one thing they wish their students knew from elementary school, almost all of them will say math fact fluency. It is challenging to balance teaching conceptual math and building fact fluency, but there are lots of fun ways to practice and build automaticity with math facts. 

Last week at our Math Instructional Leader's meeting, Ms. G at KACD shared her awesome Math Race routine. 

See below for the details from Ms. G :)

Math Races

Materials:

·        Flashcards

o   +1 through + 9, -1 through -9, x 1 through x 12

·        Tests (www.math-drills.com; single addition/subtraction/multiplication facts arranged horizontally) *cut in half vertically so each sheet has 2 columns of facts for students

o   +1 through + 9, mixed addition, -1 through -9, mixed subtraction, x 1 through x 12, mixed multiplication

·        Tracker

·        Timer

Routine:

·        Call each level at a time

·        Students walk to pick up their tests FACE DOWN

·        Students put their paper on their desk FACE DOWN

·        Students write their name on the back

·        Students sit in STAR (cannot touch their paper or pencil)

·        Once all students have a test and are sitting in STAR, put 3 minutes on the timer

·        Say “start!” – students should start right away

·        Once the timer goes off, pencils should go down immediately and papers should be put in the middle

Grading:

·        Students must fill the entire sheet and only have 5 free. That means, they can leave 5 blank or get 5 wrong. If it’s more than 5, they didn't pass.

·        If a student passes, celebrate with 3 snaps. If a student doesn't pass, send them positive/good try vibes.

·        If a student passes, they should put a sticker or a check on the track and swap their flashcards. If a student doesn't pass, they will try again next week!

Storing Flashcards

Storing Tests

Trackers

Here are links to Addition Flashcards, Subtraction Flashcards, Multiplication Flashcards.

Thanks Ms. G for sharing your awesome routine with us!!