Cumulative Review
Overview
Continual use of foundational skills with different problems reinforces a conceptual understanding of math skills. Cumulative review allows students to repeatedly practice math concepts, both overall math skills, such as Arithmetic Fact Retrieval, as well as targeted math skills, such as Place Value. Using spaced practice to review these different concepts helps students explicitly connect related mathematical ideas, leading to Mathematical Flexibility.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how this first grade teacher introduces and conducts a cumulative review with her students. By prefacing the review with an explanation of why they are reviewing learned concepts, students understand the importance of cumulative review and maintain their Attention during the lesson.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
See how Multiplications with Math Mathews includes a practice session of multiplication facts before gameplay. By allowing learners to choose which facts they review, these apps encourage learners to take ownership of knowing what they need to practice to build their Arithmetic Fact Retrieval.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Repetition Strategies
10 minutes in each math session devoted to building fluent retrieval of basic math facts sets the foundation for learning new concepts.
Daily review strengthens previous learning and can lead to fluent recall.
Spending time with new content helps move concepts and ideas into Long-term Memory.
Practicing until achieving several error-free attempts is critical for retention.
Having students verbally repeat information such as instructions ensures they have heard and supports remembering.
