Rocket Math

The single most important thing that can help elementary educators improve math achievement is to implement a effective program that develops math fact fluency in all their students.

However, teachers are not taught methods to help students memorize facts. Math textbooks also do not help students to succeed in developing math fact fluency, and administrators lack a tool to develop math fact fluency in their schools that is both effective and can be managed.

That’s where Rocket Math can help. Rocket Math began in the late 90’s as printed worksheets from which students practice with a partner, rehearsing math facts and saying the answers from memory. The partner has an answer key to correct any errors or hesitant answers, with a specially designed correction procedure to teach that fact.

After switching roles, students practice again, and then each student takes a one-minute test on the facts learned on that worksheet. Each A-to-Z worksheet adds four facts to learn. Students move on to learn the four facts on the next level when their one-minute test shows they can write answers to the math facts learned so far as fast as they can write. Students color in the level on the Rocket Chart from which the company got its name as they progress up the chart. The worksheets accumulate the facts as students move up from Level A to Z.

This careful and systematic introduction of the facts ensures student mastery throughout and gives them a tremendous sense of satisfaction and achievement.

There are now over 20 worksheet learning tracks available in the Rocket virtual filing cabinet, covering everything from beginning counting to adding and subtracting integers.

The Online Game teaches the same facts, but a computer, tablet, or phone is the partner. Any errors or hesitations are given a specially designed correction procedure. Each A-to-Z level has three phases which students practice until they demonstrate mastery before moving on to the next level. As students progress, the game provides encouragement and praise in a fun way. There is a Rocket Chart on which students keep track of their success. Students are motivated by graphically seeing their success and recognizing they are learning useful information that will help them in math.

“Students learn using printable worksheets and verbal partner practice, or through an Online Game with programmed feedback,” says Dr. Don Crawford, the owner of Rocket Math. “Both methods only take a few minutes a day and can greatly increase your child’s success with math.”

Students learn using printable worksheets and verbal partner practice, or through an Online Game with programmed feedback

Rocket Math was designed by an experienced educator using important instructional design principles. It is, therefore, more effective at teaching and more engaging with children. A unique and important difference is that Rocket Math collects data on all students, which demonstrates its effectiveness. The company tests fluency four times as students move through a learning track, in the beginning, at one-third of the way through, at two-thirds of the way through, and at the end.

“We provide personalized and caring customer service working closely with our customers. We have added many features that customers have requested and are flexible enough to make this work for our customers,” states Crawford.