SAA Special Education

Knowledge of basic math facts is a vital skill. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers is something we do all day everyday. If your student struggles, you have probably noticed that it is hard for them to develop the automaticity that you are used to in life. There are 2 components in basic fact knowledge, comprehension and remembering. Teaching them patterns, such as skip counting, putting items in equal groups, or coloring a 100s chart can help them understand the concept and use it appropriately. That is what is meant by comprehending basic facts, they understand that the numbers represent a count of objects and that we are combining or removing items to get an answer. Memory is the other part to knowing basic facts, and quite simply the key to memorization is practice. Practice, practice, practice will always help. Flash cards, worksheets, and quiz-like game programs are all opportunities to practice.
Syracuse Arts Academy has invested in Reflex math program to allow students a fun way to practice. All 5-9th graders have been given a log-in, if they have forgotten they can ask their teacher. The link is http://www.reflexmath.com/.