Using Rocket Math to Support Students Fluency of Multiplication Facts

Using Rocket Math to Support Students Fluency of Multiplication FactsBy: Marjorie Layne AllenEDOL 562Spring 1: 2015

According to the new Common Core State Standard Initiative, third grade students must master multiplication facts within 100 by the end of the school year.3.OA.C.7 Peaks Mills third grade students in the past have failed to meet this expectation.A title 1 schoolwide school that has 66.4% free/reduced lunchStudents need to know their math facts in order to be successful in future grades. As students age, they must be able to recall their basic math facts since the math curriculum is progressing into higher-levels of thinking (Wong & Evans, 2007).

Problem

Rocket MathA program used to help improve math fact fluency.The program has several componentsDaily partner practiceDaily 1-minute assessmentEnd of the week 2-minute assessmentStudents work at their own level, strive to reach individual goals, and self-monitor their progress.Rave and Golightly (2014) concluded that the Rocket Math program was effective in improving the multiplication fluency of fifth grade students. Their findings resulted in 93% of the participating students showing growth in the amount of multiplication facts they could answer in two-minutes. Solution

Rocket Math ComponentsWriting Speed TestTime Goal Sheet

4Rocket Math ComponentsMaterials Needed: Leveled Daily Practice Page, Answer Key, Timer, and a partner!

Rocket Math ComponentsRocket ChartClassroom Sticker Chart

Rocket Math ComponentsEnd of the week assessmentClassroom data chart with results

Mid- Year Assessment Outcomes: Classroom DataPre-Assessment Average:4.12%Mid-Year Assessment: Average65.96%

Mid-Year Assessment Outcomes: District Data

Mid-Year Assessment District Average: 34%

Third grade students at PME will continue to use the Rocket Math program throughout the school year.End of the year assessment data will be submitted to the district.Third grade teachers will continue using the Rocket Math program next year!Share data results with second grade teachers at PME. Since students must be able to fluently add and subtract with 100 in second grade, this program would be great for them to implement next year!

Next Steps

As you can see, Rocket Math has proven to be successful with improving students fluency of multiplication facts in third grade students at a Title 1 school. By incorporating the components of the Rocket Math program, students have raised scores from their pre-assessments and are performing above all other third grade classrooms in the district. Rocket Math is a program that I would highly recommend to other third grade teachers that are not currently using the program. I would also recommend it to second grade teachers that are required to have students memorize addition and subtraction facts within 100 by the end of the school year.Conclusions

Crawford, D. (2009). Rocket Math. Baltimore, MD: R&D Instructional Solutions.

Rave, K. R., Golightly, A.F. (2014). The effectiveness of the Rocket Math program for improving basic multiplication fact fluency in fifth grade students: A case study. Education, 134(4), 537-547.

Wong, M., & Evans, D. (2007). Improving basic multiplication fact recall for primary school students. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 19(1), 89-106. doi: 10.1007/bf03217451

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