Common Core Standards: Do Kids Need to Learn Math Facts?

Image courtesy of Melinda Kolk

Math facts! Some kids love 'em, most hate 'em! But one thing is for sure. Success with these facts will help to insure success in future mathematics studies.

Back in the "olden days" teachers and parents used to drill kids in their number facts. This idea fell out of favor in the late 1980s and 1990s in favor of a more concept-oriented approach. Some of us still expected mastery of those facts, but with the advent of calculators and computers, proficiency in math facts wasn't as highly emphasized. Turns out - knowing those facts IS important, and "math fact fluency" is now part of the Common Core Standards that have been adopted by the education departments of 45 states.

What are the Common Core Standards?

A complete discussion of the Common Core would take volumes. The Common Core State Standards Initiative says, "The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce."

Standards have been developed for mathematics and English/Language Arts and there are detailed standards for each grade level, kindergarten through grade 12. If you live in a Common Core state, you probably have already heard of the standards. The question is - how can parents and teachers help children meet these standards?

Do Kids Need to Learn Math Facts?

First, some background. According to the The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, "Computational proficiency with whole number operations is dependent on sufficient and appropriate practice to develop automatic recall of addition and related subtraction facts, and of multiplication and related division facts."

The Common Core emphasizes learning on many levels, but, building on the findings of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, it does call for "fluency" in addition and subtraction for second graders and fluency in multiplication and division for third graders - and learning those number facts is a way to gain fluency.

• 2.OA.2. Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
• 3.OA.7. Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Knowing those facts is important! So, how can teachers help their students at school? How can you help your child at home?

You can help by giving your child some strategies for learning important math facts. Strategies for Learning Math Facts has a few "tricks" I use at school, which you can share with your child at home. After your child has mastered these strategies, he can apply them in everyday math work.

Resources

Common Core Standards Initiative. About the Standards. (2012). Accessed August 1, 2013.

US Department of Education. The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel. (2008). Accessed August 1, 2013.

Common Core Standards Initiative.  Common Core Math Scope & Sequence.(2010). Accessed August 1, 2013.

Lewin, Tamar. "Panel Proposes Streamlining Math." New York Times. (2008). Accessed August 1, 2013.

Taylor, Irene. Study Skills and Learning Games. (2012).

Taylor, Irene. Homework Help: A Success Guide for Teachers and Parents. (2012).

Laura Candler's Mastering Math Facts - Multiplication & Division: Aligned with the Common Core. (2013).

Copyright 2013 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.