Math Frenzy Provides Cool Results

OSWEGO, NY – During the last school year one of the exciting projects that Oswego City School District teachers and students became involved with the FASTTMATH Frenzy and for the winners a cold “Friendly Friends Z” awaited them.

FASTTMATH Frenzy was a contest that May Beth Fierro orchestrated during the last school year.

Each year the district commits a month to this project for elementary school students.

The end result this past year wasn’t just an improvement in math, but a special treat for the award winning classes and individuals.

Math Director Carrie Plasse noted, “FASTTMATH is (Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology) a computer program designed to help all students develop fluency with basic math facts.”

Each class uses district technology tools to enhance their mathematics prowess. Students cover addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

The program is comprised of targeted instruction and practice games. It is based on each student’s individual fluency level of the basic math facts.

The FASTTMATH program automatically differentiates instruction based on each student’s individual fluency levels in customized, 10 minute daily sessions.

It was noted students, would be involved in additional math studies either in the school e-lab or with extra time on the classroom computers.

Fierro explained, “Teachers and administrators benefit from instantaneous progress monitoring, comprehensive reports and a simple implementation model.”

Plasse said, “The benefit of using this program is the repeated practice that motivates students to learn their basic math facts to mastery.”

Fierro said, “FASTTMATH has literally taken our district by storm. Students love using it and teachers have found it easy to implement. In just 10 minutes a day this delivers targeted, differentiated instruction to meet student needs. Each student has a unique individualized learning experience, building fluency at the pace and level adapted specifically for that student. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful tool available to us in Oswego.”

This is a nationally regarded program and it was noted in both the National math Panel’s ‘Foundations for Success: Final Report’ and National Council of Teachers of  Math  ‘Curriculum Focal Points’ educators are urged to ensure that all students develop automatic recall of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts in order to prepare adequately for algebra.

Fierro explained, “FASTTMATH is the perfect tool for our students to use to develop automatic recall.”

This program is used nationally from second through sixth grade.

However, the Oswego City School District is using it for students in kindergarten through sixth grade where the need exists.

Fierro also noted, “We are using it also with some of our Oswego Middle School students.”

Looking ahead to the 2009-10 academic year Plasse stated, “We will be encouraging more teachers to use this program with their students in the upcoming school year and the student benefits are considered important and critical.”

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