Learning Spotlight - Facts On Fire
Facts on Fire: Building Strong Foundations in Mathematics
Following our recent Fluency Open Morning, we are taking the next step in strengthening students’ basic fact knowledge through the whole-school rollout of Facts on Fire.
During the open morning, families saw how fluency supports students to work accurately, efficiently and confidently.
Facts on Fire builds on this work by providing a consistent daily routine focused on developing automatic recall of essential number facts.
Why are we introducing Facts on Fire?
Students need secure basic fact knowledge to access more complex mathematics. When students recall facts automatically, they use less mental effort on simple calculations and focus more attention on solving problems, identifying patterns and explaining their mathematical thinking.
Automaticity is the end goal. This means students recall facts quickly and accurately without needing to count, draw or work through each calculation step.
What is Facts on Fire?
Facts on Fire is a structured fluency program completed for approximately ten minutes each day. Students practise carefully sequenced number facts using short, focused activities. The program includes explicit teaching, repeated practice, immediate correction and regular opportunities to monitor progress.
Each year level begins with content matched to the facts students need to secure:
Foundation: Number Writing
Year 1: Addition facts to 6
Year 2: Addition facts to 10
Year 3: Addition facts to 18
Years 4 to 6: Multiplication facts to 81
When will it begin?
The whole-school rollout will begin this term. Teachers will first introduce each part of the routine slowly and explicitly in Week 5. Students will learn how to complete the activities, check their answers, correct errors and record their progress before completing the routine at its intended pace.
How will we implement it?
We are implementing Facts on Fire as designed, so that students and teachers have time to successfully embed the routine. Consistent instructions, timings, practice activities and progress checks will help students understand exactly what to do each day.
Teachers have and continue to receive professional learning, resources, modelling and regular opportunities to review how the program is working. This consistent whole-school approach will help students build strong practice habits while providing teachers with reliable information about progress and areas that require further support.
Facts on Fire forms one part of our broader approach to mathematics fluency. Through regular, purposeful practice, we aim to ensure every student develops the basic fact knowledge needed for future mathematical success.