Fluency in math doesn't just happen! It is a well-planned journey. In this book, you'll find practical strategies and activities for teaching your elementary students basic addition and subtraction facts. The authors lay out the basic framework for building math fluency using a cycle of engagement (concrete, pictorial, abstract) and provide a multitude of examples illustrating the strategies in action.

You'll learn how to:

• help students to model their thinking with a variety of tools;
• keep students engaged through games, poems, songs, and technology;
• assess student development to facilitate active and continuous learning;
• implement distributed practices throughout the year;
• boost parental involvement so that students remain encouraged even as material becomes more complex.

A final chapter devoted to action plans will help you put these strategies into practice in your classroom right away. Most importantly, you'll open the door to deep and lasting math fluency.

Dr. Nicki Newton has been an educator for 30 years, working both nationally and internationally with students of all ages. She has worked on developing Math Workshops and Guided Math Institutes around the country; visit her website at www.drnickinewton.com. She is also an avid blogger (www.guidedmath.wordpress.com), tweeter (@drnickimath), and Pinterest pinner (www.pinterest.com/drnicki7).

Ann Elise Record has been an educator for over 18 years as a classroom teacher, math coach and specialist, adjunct faculty member of Plymouth State University, and, currently, as a national speaker and independent math consultant. She can be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/2022849141262766/) facilitating the Math Running Records group as well as on Twitter (@AnnEliseRecord).

Dr. Alison J. Mello has been in education for over 25 years as a classroom teacher, math specialist, director of curriculum, and, currently, as the Assistant Superintendent of Foxborough Public Schools, MA. In addition to her work in the district, Alison is a national speaker, math consultant, and graduate instructor of in-service teachers. She can be found on Twitter (@alisonmellomath).

Part I: Introduction

1. Introduction

2. Modeling Math Facts

Part II: Introduction to Teaching and Learning Addition Strategies

3. Exploring and Learning Addition Facts within 10

4. Exploring and Learning Addition Facts above 10

Part III: Introduction to Teaching and Learning Subtraction Strategies

5. Exploring and Learning Subtraction Facts within 10

6. Exploring and Learning Subtraction Facts within 20

Part IV: Other Crucial Elements

7. Assessing Basic Fact Fluency

8. Doing Daily Fluency Routines

9. Parental Involvement

10. Action Plan