Math Fact Fluency Station | Parent Volunteer Idea
In second grade, math fact fluency is critical. As we all know, third grade is the year of multiplication and division facts. Kiddos who enter third grade who are still not fluent in addition and subtraction facts are set up for a tough road of having to calculate, count-on, count back, etc. for SO many facts. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, AND division. That is a lot. The more fluent they can be, the easier things will be for them as they move through the years and have to complete more complex equations.
So, it is my goal that as many of my second graders as possible will be fully fluent in addition and subtraction facts up to 30 as we can get! I know not all of them will be there. But, if we shoot for 100% and get 85%, those are pretty good numbers!
Plus, my second graders take state testing this year, and it counts. And it’s timed. So I feel that I’m setting them up for more success if they can work quickly and not need as many supports to do simple addition and subtraction.
But HOW do you promote more fact fluency when you are short on time already? I have curriculum to teach and workbooks I’m required to use and small group lessons that have to be standards-aligned to the skills the kids need to know.
And fact fluency is only one standard of many. But it takes the longest to master. How do you keep that practice going, make it purposeful, and not lose the time that you need to teach everything else?
The answer is…you bring in some volunteers!
The Math Fact Fluency Kit
I created this parent volunteer math fact kit this fall when I saw the need in my kids, and I had parents asking how they could help in my classroom.
It’s super simple!
I grabbed a bin and put the following materials inside:
dice
playing cards
sand timers
fact flashcards
white boards + markers
a laminated class roster
The parents come for 25-30 minutes, every Tuesday morning, and play fluency and number sense games with the kids. When the parents come, we are in the middle of math stations, so it is easy for the parents to come and sit at a cluster of desks that are empty. They pull 2-3 kids at a time, play one of the games for 10-15 minutes. Then, they pull another 2-3 kids to play a game. I let the parents choose the games (some of them opt to let the kids choose the game, which is fine with me!)
As a kid is called up, I ask that parents use a dry erase marker to check or cross out the names of each kid who gets a turn. I leave the marks on the roster until every kid has had a turn. Then, we wipe the roster clean and start over. I asked parents to pull kids in the order they are listed on the roster, for the most part. The only exception I made for this was that each parent could pull their own child for the one of the games.
Organizing Volunteers
This year, my room moms created a sign up genius and sent it out to all parents so anyone can volunteer who would like to. I keep the time slot the same (25 minutes every Tuesday during our math block), so it becomes routine for both me and the kids.
Initially, I was meeting parents in the hallway and explaining the directions to them each time they came. I got wise during the second 9 weeks and created a stock email with the routines and directions that I sent out to anyone on the Sign Up Genius. That cut back on the help that I had to give each parent when they arrived. Also, as the kids became more familiar with the routines, the more they could help the parents know what to do, as well.
Make Your Own Fact Fluency Kit
I have the games that I created for my fluency kit in my TPT store, if you want to print and make your own!
You will need to add your own playing cards, dice, etc. The materials you need for the games are clearly listed on each card!