Karate Math Facts Practice: A Fun and Effective Learning Method

Do your students struggle with math facts? Discover how my karate math program - Kicking It Math can be the key to mastering math facts effortlessly!

Ever since my days of teaching 7th grade, I have wanted to help my students develop their math facts fluency.  So many of my students did not know their basic math facts, which made learning more advanced math concepts challenging!

That's why I turned to the powerful technique of karate to create an engaging and effective method of mastering math facts. Read on to discover how karate math facts can transform your students' learning experience."

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.


I would struggle to teach a student how to multiply 3/4 X 2/8 because they didn't know what 4X8 was.  So... when I started teaching elementary I vowed that my kiddos would not leave me without knowing their math facts.  But... how to do that?  A lot of people say, "They just have to memorize them." Well, true, but what if they don't WANT to memorize them?  What if there are too many facts to memorize and they just CAN'T do it? What then?

I started developing this math facts program with a karate twist!

The program works with key elements of brain research:

* Students can hold only 2-3 new pieces of information in their working memory at one time.  That is why each new practice session only includes 2 to 3 new facts and their opposites.

* Students learn best when they involve two or more senses in learning.  This program incorporates both oral and written practice.  Learners learn 90% of what they SAY and DO (Bloom, 1987).

* Students can remember things more easily when they connect new information with something they already know (Woolfolk, 1998).  All new math facts practice sheets include previously learned facts along with the new facts.  This isn't simply learning their 1s, then their 2s, etc. because that doesn't work.

* In this program, some of the harder math facts (such as 9X6 are taught in the middle rather than the end so the student really has more time to work on it).

* Another way to increase student memory is through verbal rehearsal.  When a student practices (at home or at school with a partner) and makes a mistake, they repeat the correct problem and answer three times to cement it in their brain.  They are presented the same problem three tries later to work through it again.

* Memory increases when dopamine is involved - basically if it is fun, kids will remember more!

So enough of the research and on to the fun!

Happy students wearing the "belts" they have won!

Yes, belts, as in karate belts.  The program involves a karate theme and the students pass levels to earn different belts.  They LOVE this!

We start by practicing our math facts orally.  Each student has their own key ring with "belts" that have the math facts on them - problems only on one side and problems and answers on the other.  One student says all of the problems and answers while the other student coaches, then they switch.  This takes about 2-3 minutes.



Here is a close-up of the cards.

Then we complete a timed math facts test.  The students have folders with their current level in a sheet protector.  They answer using a dry erase marker.  I only make copies at the beginning of the year!  Yay!

If they finish before the time is up, they raise their folder above their head, I collect them, grade them, and change the sheet out if they are all correct.

I have also included additional sets with less problems.

Their name is also changed on our level board.

 

I absolutely love the way that one of my teaching pals, Barbara, made her board.  You could make the belts on the sides using bulletin board paper cut in strips and folded. She even put her kiddos' pics on the karate kids to make pieces to move. LOVE!  I will definitely be doing this next year!

Since this picture I have also added my son, Luke and his buddy.  They have been working each day after school and are proud to be among the higher kids in my class.  The belts have become a hot commodity on the playground and many of the kids want them.

 

Here are some more pictures from other teachers who have used the program:

Nancy from The Apple Basket Teacher.

 and Beth Ann from Taming my Flock of Firsties used my addition version with her class. She took some photos of a few of the games in action.

 

Jennifer from Elementary School Garden has added an active component to the program in her classroom.

 

And she really knows how to celebrate those Black Belts!

I have been blown away by some of the feedback that I have received!

 

 

Have you implemented Kicking It Math in your classroom? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below or tag me on Twitter or Instagram.

I also now have digital versions of this program!

Addition

Multiplication

(Division and Subtraction coming soon!)

And while you're here, enter to win one of our fabulous giveaways!

 

You can buy these products at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Multiplication Version

Division Version

Addition Version

Subtraction Version

or you can save a little money and get the bundles:

Multiplication/Division Bundle

Addition/Subtraction Bundle

Kicking It Math Bundle 

(Includes Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, and Factors)

You can also find this resource at Amazon!

I have had requests to make additional versions including mixed addition and subtraction and mixed multiplication and division math facts.  If you would like to be notified when these are released (and save 50% of for the first 48 hours) please fill out this form.

  

Before you go, head on over to our giveaway page to enter our current giveaway!  Every week one lucky winner gets a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

 I would love to hear from you! ❤️

Have a question? Idea for a resource you might find helpful?

Be so kind and leave a comment below.