Rainbow Skies for Teachers

71. The Magic Trick to Develop Number Fluency


Listen Later

As teachers who've been there, we know that building number fluency is about more than just drilling facts—it’s about creating engaging, confidence-boosting experiences that help students develop essential skills for problem-solving and critical thinking.

In this episode, we explore how to make fluency fun, effective, and stress-free for all learners. Alisha shares a personal classroom challenge—her highly competitive Year 2 students—and how a simple Speedy Numbers booklet transformed their motivation and engagement. 

We also discuss alternative approaches to traditional timed tests, ways to foster autonomy in learning, and how to differentiate fluency activities for all levels.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

  • How to harness competition in a positive way to build number fluency
  • Why fluency is essential for higher-order thinking and problem-solving
  • Creative alternatives to traditional timed tests
  • How to differentiate fluency activities for struggling learners
  • The importance of motivation, inclusion, and celebrating progress

We also explore strategies like personal timers, flexible question goals, peer mentoring, and the “peek and steal” method to help students build their skills while reducing math anxiety. Plus, we share real teacher success stories and practical ways to implement these ideas in your classroom.

If you are looking to implement Speedy Numbers into your classroom, the resources are linked below. 

We’d love to know: How do you build math fluency in your classroom? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram @rainbowskycreations

Rainbows ahead, 

Alisha and Ashleigh


Resources mentioned in this episode:

Addition and Subtraction Speedy Number Booklets

Multiplication Speedy Number Booklets

Division Speedy Number Booklets

I need all of them!


APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY

Let's hear from you! Text us!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Rainbow Skies for TeachersBy Ashleigh and Alisha

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

2 ratings


More shows like Rainbow Skies for Teachers

View all
The Amy Porterfield Show by Amy Porterfield

The Amy Porterfield Show

4,590 Listeners

Mamamia Out Loud by Mamamia Podcasts

Mamamia Out Loud

573 Listeners

No Filter by Mamamia Podcasts

No Filter

603 Listeners

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher by Vicki Davis

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

271 Listeners

Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education by Sue Larkey

Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education

20 Listeners

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ™ by Supported by Great Minds

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ™

410 Listeners

Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify Education

Science of Reading: The Podcast

637 Listeners

Weight Loss for Women Over 40 Podcast by Nikki Ternay

Weight Loss for Women Over 40 Podcast

64 Listeners

Triple R Teaching by Anna Geiger

Triple R Teaching

198 Listeners

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

1,329 Listeners

The Nutrition Couch by Susie Burrell & Leanne Ward

The Nutrition Couch

68 Listeners

Literacy Talks by Reading Horizons

Literacy Talks

53 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

19,479 Listeners

Shanahan on Literacy by Timothy Shanahan

Shanahan on Literacy

50 Listeners

The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

The Oprah Podcast

1,457 Listeners