Tiffany Cook first used Reflex at a previous school before introducing the program to her current elementary school in Nebo School District in Utah. “My students love Reflex! They are so excited to play Reflex and want to play more than the suggested ‘Green Light” session!” Her students use Reflex both in the classroom and as homework. “I set a goal each week week for my students so they know what the expectation is. I show them each Monday their fluency percentage and this really helps the students to be aware of where they are and where they should be.”
She explains, “Reflex is in a category of its own. I don’t think that it can compare to the traditional strategies. I feel like flash cards, timed sheets, stories, tricks, and wrap-ups can be compared to each other , but there is nothing that compares to Reflex. It is simply the most efficient and effective strategy to help students learn their facts!” After using Reflex, “my daily math lessons are awesome. Students have enough of a foundation with their multiplication/division facts that our math lessons are so smooth. They continue to increase their fact fluency and our math lessons will continue to go smoothly.”
The reports help encourage the students, help guide her teaching and also help parents stay informed. “The interaction that Reflex gives keeps students coming back for more. They can see their progress with mastering their math facts on their pyramid chart and it provides a great sense of accomplishment. I use the reporting facility on a daily basis. The reports give me a detailed description of where each student is with their fact fluency progression. I rely heavily on these reports so that I know where each student is and how I can make sure that I can help them with their fluency. I also use these reports to inform parents of where their child stands with their fact fluency.”
Reflex has also helped with assessments. “We have taken the new state test for three years and I feel that it is evident that Reflex has helped my scores improve. Students have to master their multiplication and division facts in order to pass the test. It is nearly impossible to pass without knowing multiplication and division facts. Before I started Reflex, my class scored 68% in math. The next year we took the test, my class had Reflex for half of the year and we scored 80% on the state test. The average score for the state of Utah is 48%. This past year is when I saw the true benefits of using Reflex for the entire year. My class scored 92% on the test. I give a lot of credit to Reflex because each child was fluent in their facts before going into the test.”
She adds, “Students have to be fluent in their math facts in order to understand math concepts. Reflex is the magic key that every teacher is looking for to help their students learn their math facts.”
Tiffany Cook has been teaching third grade since 2005. She has a degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University-Hawaii and Master’s degree from Southern Utah University. She enjoys teaching and has dedicated the last twelve years to help her students succeed.