At Wea Ridge Middle School, excitement is in the air for Laura Dearing’s students (and it’s not only because the summer countdown is on). Why the hype? Her students are diving into friendly classroom competitions and sharpening their math fact fluency skills with Reflex!
Reflex: A consistent classroom staple
With over 25 years of experience in education, Dearing has worn many teaching hats. “I started out as a special education teacher in an alternative school. Then, I worked in middle school special education and also taught 1st and 4th grade,” said Dearing.
Now, Dearing is a Resource Math teacher in Tippecanoe School Corporation in Lafayette, Indiana. “My students come from a variety of backgrounds and ethnic groups. Our school is made up of a mixed population of ethnicities. We also have a high percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch.”
No matter the school, district, or state, Dearing has always leaned on ExploreLearning Reflex to help students develop crucial math fact fluency skills. Reflex, an adaptive and game-based program that provides students with individualized addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division practice, is a natural fit to support all levels of learners and provide math remediation.
“I used Reflex when I taught 4th grade a few years ago and again while I taught in Florida during 2022-2023. I love how Reflex keeps the students engaged in a way that makes learning math facts fun.”
Reflex Grant brings a fact fluency solution to students in Indiana
When Dearing moved to Indiana, her school did not have access to Reflex. Seeking ways to get Reflex back, Dearing applied for a Reflex Grant and was accepted. As a part of the ExploreLearning Math Grant Program, selected teachers in grades 2-6 receive free 12-month classroom access to Reflex or Frax.
After being awarded the free classroom math grant, Dearing was able to introduce Reflex to her students at Wea Ridge Middle School. “My students have made progress in the short time we have been using it,” said Dearing. “My students love how easy it is to use and like the games.”
Game-based competitions to drive fact fluency skills
Dearing knows that math fact fluency is non-negotiable for her students. “They need to know math facts to do middle school math,” said the teacher.
To motivate her students and increase math fact fluency, Dearing began hosting competitions to encourage Green Light success. Reflex uses the Green Light as a key motivator for students, signifying the completion of a successful day of math fact practice.
“I do a Green Light challenge with my classes. At the end of the week, the class with the highest percentage wins and gets a candy treat. I also challenge my students to get four Green Lights a week to earn an extra ‘GOTCHA coupon,’ which is a school positive reinforcement program. Students work hard for those coupons. Each day, they get a GOTCHA for getting their Green Light as well."
“We do a class vs. class competition. My students are competitive!”
–Laura Dearing
Teachers like Dearing know that student engagement is a must, and nothing drives motivation like some healthy competition. Available with any full Reflex subscription, new Reflex Competitions allow teachers to host competitions among different classrooms in the same school building.
With Reflex Competitions, students in one classroom can face off against other classes for fun rivalry and motivating math fact practice. During a Reflex Competition, the class with the greatest average number of Green Light Days wins!
Increased engagement and math fact fluency with Reflex
Reflex’s competitive, game-based features provide a way to engage students and monitor growth throughout the year. Dearing is committed to fact fluency practice, ensuring students make time for Reflex.
“Reflex is done during work time every day. If students don’t get their Green Light prior to the end of class, they do it for homework,” said the teacher. “Students love the program and are upset when we don’t have time to do it.”
“Reflex has helped me see growth in my students’ math fact fluency. I make time each day for the students to work on Reflex in class. Students are memorizing their facts now. I use the Reflex reports to see their fluency percentages. It’s been a short time, but I am seeing growth so far. Nothing compares to this program!”
–Laura Dearing
A Reflex progress tracker is on display in the school hallway at Wea Ridge Middle School.
Build a competitive classroom spirit with Reflex
The competitive element of Reflex encourages all students to try their best, while the adaptive design of Reflex’s games ensures each student practices math facts at their appropriate level.
Are you ready to experience the Reflex difference in your classroom? Start strengthening math fact fluency today with a free classroom trial.
Laura Dearing is a Resource Math teacher at Wea Ridge Middle School in Lafayette, Indiana, with over 25 years of experience in education. She began her career as a special education teacher in an alternative school and later taught 1st grade, 4th grade, and middle school special education.
