Arithmetic question

[GinainMD]

Hello everyone. I am curious about how HOD and Singapore math address math facts. I use Ray's arithmetic and up until recently it was fine but I'm not loving it right now. My dd is able to "figure out" the answers to her arithmetic problems in all of the 4 basic operations but it isn't instant recall for her. Is it enough that she knows how to figure out the answers or should she have them all memorized? What does Singapore do? What is the CM method for arithmetic and is this the philosophy that HOD holds to in this skill area? I am wishing that I had switched to Singapore when dd was younger. If I switch now I'm afraid of how far back she will have to go. HELP Fwiw we do generally do the hands on math activities in the Beyond guide because my dds really enjoy them.

[birchbark]

A good place to start would be reading the links on Singapore in the "Reasons behind HoD's choices" thread, if you haven't already.

[pjdobro]

Singapore doesn't really focus on math facts either. My feeling on this is that math facts are something that one picks up through use. I haven't required my dc to memorize addition or subtraction facts. I feel like these can always be figured out and the ability to be able to figure them out is what is important. Over time with much use, they will be able to recall these facts without much effort. I have seen that to be true over time with my dc. I did feel like multiplication facts were more important to memorize just because it takes so much time to figure them out so we have done a couple of things to work on multiplication facts. We used a book called Time Tales, and they have been playing a computer game called Timez Attack. I think games are a great way to help quick recall of facts. We played Sum Swamp a lot when they were younger. I know some people will use good old fashioned flash cards to help with facts recall. We haven't really gone that route, but I know it can work well. I haven't read my CM books enough to know her feeling on this. Hopefully someone else will know and respond.