Mastering the basic facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is an essential goal for all students. Most educators also agree that success at higher levels of math hinges on this fundamental skill. But what's the best way to get there? Are flash cards, drills, and timed tests the answer? If so, then why do students go into the…

Math fact fluency involves the quick, accurate retrieval of basic arithmetic combinations and the ability to use this fact knowledge efficiently. Math fact retrieval is typically considered fluent when performed accurately within 2 to 3 seconds, and "efficiency" refers to students' ability to apply fact knowledge to more complex…

The learning of "basic facts"--single-digit combinations for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division--has long been a focus of elementary school mathematics. Many people remember completing endless worksheets, timed tests, and flash card drills as they attempted to "master" their basic facts as children. However,…

This textbook is an illustrated table book rather than an elementary arithmetic book. Its object is to suggest things for pupils to do. While it is impossible in a work so small to do more than give suggestions, the teacher will find little difficulty in supplying the deficiency by the use of the blackboard. Although there is nothing in the book…

A randomized pretest-posttest-control group design study, replicated three times, each time with 24 subjects randomly selected and assigned to either a treatment or control group of 12 subjects each, was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a modified instructional strategy for accelerative and mastery learning of basic arithmetic by a male…

The "class trap" is defined as the problems which can arise when all students in the class are required to progress at the same rate. To illustrate this concept, a case study is presented of arithmetic instruction in a single class, then strategies to avoid the trap are outlined. (SJL)