Strategies

Some suggestions for using the Its Just Math Facts app:

The app is designed to lend itself to students who may be struggling with gaining fluidity with basic math facts.

Start where the student is or one level below. For example if the student is working on addition with 5 in class, start with addition with 4.

Students who are adept at using their fingers or touch math should be encouraged to avoid using such techniques while using the app. The idea is to build memory recall. So if they don't immediately know the answer they should guess or press any digit to reveal the correct answer. Then enter the correct answer while repeating the fact - out loud if possible, or silently if with other students.

With students who are somewhere in the middle of learning math facts, you may want to use Review All Random for addition - and on up - as an assessment tool to see proficiency. Observe the student to see if they have rapid recall or rely on fingers etc. to arrive at the correct answer.

Drill with an app is still drill. Three to five minute drills spaced throughout the day are much better than one twenty minute drill.

As the parent or teacher of a student who will be using the app, be sure to familiarize yourself with how it works. Enter yourself as a student and try all the various options.

Review All Random may also be used for periodic review to maintain acquired skills.

Here is a suggestion:

go to student records and add student.

In this case add a student with first name Add, then set the Operation to addition and the Type of Drill to Review All Random. Do a similar thing with students named Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. Set the operation to reflect the name and the Type of Drill to Review All Random.

Then whenever you want a student to practice a particular operation just select the "student" named that operation. This is just for practice so it doesn't matter who actually uses it. They don't need to complete all 100 problems, just spend 5 or 10 minutes to keep skills fresh.