De-emphasis of rote work. We believe that children must indeed learn their math facts, but we de-emphasize rote memorization and the frequent administration of timed tests. Both of these can produce undesirable results. Instead, our goal here is that students learn that they can find answers easily using strategies they understand. Gradual and systematic introduction of facts.
Students study the facts in small groups that can be solved by a single strategy.
Students first work on simple strategies for easy facts and then progress to more sophisticated strategies and harder facts. Work on the math facts is distributed throughout the curriculum, especially in the Daily Practice and Problems and in the games. This practice for facility, however, takes place only after students have a conceptual understanding of the operations and have achieved proficiency with strategies for solving basic fact problems. Delaying practice in this way means that less practice is required to achieve mastery. Students are assessed on the facts through teacher observation as well as through the appropriate use of written tests and quizzes.