Tia Brown
“Here at Franklin we have Soar Bucks that we use for positive reinforcement for behavior and academic achievement. The students can then turn them in at the school store for different prizes.
I have used the Soar Bucks to encourage the students to meet goals in Reflex. The students receive 2 Soar Bucks for every 25 new facts learned. For every 1000 facts competed they receive 5 Soar Bucks. When the student reaches 100 percent fluency they receive 25 Soar Bucks.
My student have been saving Soar Bucks for bigger prizes in the store, so to receive multiple for accomplishments in Reflex, encourages them to keep going. Also, students that aren’t as motivated to do Reflex see friends receiving Soar Bucks, and it motivates them to work harder.”
~Kelley Patterson, 6th Grade Teacher, Franklin Elementary School, Connecticut
“I have a student who is receiving Special Education Services for academics and behavior. Getting him to do ANYTHING is a challenge. Tasks are often overwhelming and difficult for him and he often says, “I am not going to do this.” Out of frustration and lack of ability. I have never once had to convince him or pry him to do Reflex. It is one of his favorite things and he asks to be on it all the time. Reflex is leveled, so he feels successful and he has learned more facts this year than all of his school years combined. This has made a positive impact on this student because we have finally reached him. Through a program that is highly interactive and fun, a student is learning math facts that would not have been successful learning them any other way. One of my jobs is to make school a place that students want to be. Reflex is one of the tools I am able to use to help accomplish this goal of keeping students motivated and learning.”
~Cheree Dale, 3rd grade teacher, Griffin Creek Elementary School, Oregon
My kids are LOVING Reflex! Every day we do a timed fluency drill on paper called a Multiplication Mission. Students have 2 min. to complete the drill. Today, 2 of my kids got more problems done than they ever have and they announced to the class, “Thank you, Reflex!” We all cheered! It was a great moment! Thank you, again, for giving me this opportunity!
~Kristie Cumberledge, 3rd Grade Teacher, West Virginia
The Spring Grant Round!
If you are interested in applying for a grant, or if you want to find out more about the grant, go to the link below:
https://info.explorelearning.com/reflex-grants.html
Email Tia Brown, Reflex Grant Specialist, with any questions.
tia.brown@explorelearning.com
“One of my new third grade students with a severe visual impairment has always had the maximum time in the resource room instead of the general education classroom. In working with her, I have discovered this is because she has not had an avenue to demonstrate her abilities. When given support in the form of reading the facts for her and teaching her 10-key keyboarding skills, she is able to demonstrate her knowledge of , and increase her fluency in, basic facts and calculation. This has resulted in a change to her education plan that places her in general education class with vision enhancement technology. She is finding success within the grade level curriculum!”
~Loralie Cuff, Special Education Teacher, Richard C. Priest Elementary School, Nevada
My fifth grade classroom consists of regular education, special education, and 504 students. So the student needs in just one room are very diverse! I have students who need to be challenged (sometimes above grade level) and other students who have yet to master their basic multiplication facts.
Each day, I have a 60 minute math block and a 30 minute differentiated math instruction block. My math block is broken into two 30 minutes periods plus the additional 30 minute DI period, resulting in 3 thirty minute rotations a day. There are five technology teams scheduled three times a week (30 mins each). I use Reflex specifically to target only those students who have yet to master their basic fact (making grade level concepts even more challenging). Students who have mastered their basic math facts are on a different program using iPads simultaneously.
If you were to walk into my classroom during math times, there is a lot going on! You would see some students on iPads (5) in a designated area, some on Chromebooks completing Reflex (7) in a quiet spot of their choice, a small group working with a teacher (sometimes two groups, regular education teacher and learning specialist), others working on the lesson independently around the room, and some completing Daily Three activities with a partner. After thirty minutes, we switch.
The explicit schedule of my technology teams, has allowed for engaging differentiated instruction for ALL students at the same time. Reflex has really helped me target those students who have yet to master their basic facts in such an engaging way! Since they are SO entertained with Reflex, I have time to work with other students in a small group.
I also assign Reflex for homework Monday-Thursday in addition to the scheduled class time. I have some going on Reflex two or three times per night!
~Melissa Quigley, 5th Grade Teacher, Henri A. Yelle Elementary School, Massachusetts
“I teach 5th grade at a title one elementary school. I have taught in various places for 11 years. This year my students started out the year scoring lower in math than any other class that I have taught. Our first math assessment showed that 71% of my 5th grade students could not fluently add or subtract!! So I started them in reflex and now at Thanksgiving I have 5 students who are 100% fluent in addition and subtraction. I have 2 others who are at 99% fluency. I only wish the students would have had this opportunity when they were younger.”
~Charity Buckley, 5th Grade Teacher, Wilson Elementary, Oregon
“I work with students with special needs. I like that Reflex tests their original speed in order to adjust. Frequently, they’re frustrated at timed facts, so I like how this allows them to keep practicing no matter what level they’re on.”
~Amber Cowley, Special Education Teacher, Westlake Elementary School, Indiana