Math Fluency during Primary School

Avishai Henik,Yarden Gliksman,Shir Berebbi

doi:10.3390/brainsci12030371

Avishai Henik, Yarden Gliksman + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12030371

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Abstract

Math fluency is the ability to solve arithmetic facts quickly and accurately (i.e., addition and subtraction problems up to 20, and multiplication and division problems from the multiplication table). Curricula in primary school devote a significant period of time for learning and retrieval of arithmetic facts. Recently, a new computerized tool to assess math fluency—the BGU-MF (Ben-Gurion University Math Fluency) test—was developed and found to be a reliable and valid tool for adults. In the current study, we examine the performance of first to sixth-grade children in math fluency using the BGU-MF. The results present the performance of MF during childhood and emphasize that it continues to develop during primary school. Importantly, proficiency of MF differed by operations, and the automaticity of math facts was acquired in different grades. Moreover, we found that the BGU-MF is a reliable and valid tool not only for adults but also for children during primary school. Our study has educational implications for the teaching, practice, and retrieval of arithmetic facts.

Highlights

Using numbers is an integral part of our life
We report the performance of math fluency in each grade
In addition to math fluency performance in primary school, we examined the reliability and validity of the BGU-MF in children

Summary

Introduction

Using numbers is an integral part of our life. We use numbers when we measure in cooking, find a page in a book, during sports activities, and so on. Simple calculations are an everyday activity, in adults’ life (e.g., calculating the number of invited guests for a family dinner) and in children’s life (e.g., calculating their pocket money). Understanding numbers and performing simple calculations efficiently are the building blocks of quantitative reasoning [1], and they were found to predict academic success and level of income [2,3]. The math education curriculum during primary school devotes a great deal of time to learning, practicing, memorizing, and retrieving simple arithmetic problems, known as math facts. Math facts are the basis for more advanced arithmetic, such as solving equations and verbal questions, carrying over problems, etc

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