Episode description

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome ASCD authors Jennifer Bay-Williams and Gina Kling on the program to discuss how students can easily pick up complex math concepts no matter what grade or ability level. Please check out their new book available from ASCD Publications for more information on how you can provide quality math education to your students today!

We wish to thank ASCD for helping to put this podcast together.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The phases children progress through as they master their facts
• What does fluency mean? How is it different from automaticity?
• How do games provide meaningful fact practice?
• What are the disadvantages of timed testing? What alternatives are there to timed testing?
• Why is it important for teachers and parents to understand the distinction between foundational facts and derived facts, and how should that impact instructional choices?
• How do we help families understand there are better ways to teach and assess facts?

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

Jennifer M. Bay-Williams is a mathematics teacher educator at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. She has written many articles and books related to K–12 mathematics education, including the popular Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally and the related three-book series, Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics.

Bay-Williams is a national leader in mathematics education, having served as a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Board of Directors, secretary and president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE), lead writer for the Standards for Preparing Teachers of Mathematics (AMTE, 2017), and a member of the TODOS: Mathematics for ALL Board of Directors. Bay-Williams taught elementary, middle, and high school students in Missouri and in Peru. She currently works in elementary classrooms in the Louisville area, helping teachers and students attain basic fact fluency while also developing strong mathematical identities.

Gina Kling is fortunate to serve the mathematics education community in a variety of ways. Since 2011, she has worked as a curriculum developer for the elementary mathematics curriculum Everyday Mathematics (based at the University of Chicago) with a focus on grades K–3. Recently she served as the grade 1 lead author for the Everyday Mathematics 4 State Editions, the author of the Everyday Mathematics 4 Quick Looks Activity Book, and one of the authors of Everyday Mathematics for Parents: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child Succeed.

Kling has taught elementary mathematics content and methods courses for the past 15 years at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Mastering the basic facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is an essential goal for all students. Most educators also agree that success at higher levels of math hinges on this fundamental skill. But what's the best way to get there? Are flash cards, drills, and timed tests the answer? If so, then why do students go into the upper elementary grades (and beyond) still counting on their fingers or experiencing math anxiety? What does research say about teaching basic math facts so they will stick?

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