Suggested Programs
The XtraMath suggested programs align with both Common Core and Texas TEKS. Following a developmentally appropriate progression from kindergarten through middle school, K-6. The structure builds fluency, fact mastery, and confidence while gradually reducing response time to strengthen automatic recall.
Our standard free version option provides five recommended grade-level programs that offer structured fluency practice. Teachers can start with the program that matches each student’s grade. On the other hand, with XtraMath Premium, educators can tailor fluency practice to their students’ exact needs instead of following the standard XtraMath sequence:
- Selecting a specific program (e.g., Multiplication or Division)
- Adjusting the program set level or difficulty ( beginning, Regular, Expanded)
- Selecting fluency thresholds to allow more or less time for answering each fact question.
These options ensure that all students, whether struggling or advanced, receive appropriate support to build confidence and improve their math fluency.
Kindergarten - First Grade (Ages 5-6)
☑️ Beginning Addition & Beginning Subtraction
☑️ 12-second fluency threshold
Early learners focus on developing foundational skills in addition and subtraction. The "Beginning" problem set level introduces facts that sum up to 10. The 12-second fluency threshold allows them to practice without pressure, ensuring they have enough time to process number relationships, learn, and recall basic facts. This extended response time is particularly helpful as they develop number sense, processing speed, and fine motor skills for entering answers.
💡 Teacher Tip: Before using XtraMath for fluency practice, students should first develop a strong conceptual understanding of basic math operations. Engaging in hands-on activities and teacher-led instruction helps build this foundation. Allowing students to solve problems without time pressure fosters confidence and prepares them for success with XtraMath.
First Grade Guide(Ages 6-7)
☑️ Beginning Addition & Beginning Subtraction and/ or
☑️ Regular Addition & Subtraction
☑️ 12-second fluency threshold
Students strengthen their fact fluency by mastering addition and subtraction facts with the "Beginning" problem set level, which introduces facts that sum up to 10. XtraMath follows a structured progression, first building confidence in addition before introducing subtraction as the inverse operation. This approach reinforces fact families, helping students recognize patterns and deepen their number sense. The 6-second fluency threshold encourages students to recall facts more quickly, moving beyond counting strategies and start developing fluency.
💡 Teacher Tip: Reinforce fact families with visual models or number bonds and celebrate milestones by printing certificates or digital trophies for coloring.
Second Grade Guide(Ages 7-8)
☑️ Regular Addition & Subtraction and/or ☑️ Regular Subtraction (only)
☑️ 12-second fluency threshold, gradually progressing them to the
☑️ 6-second fluency threshold, or challenge gifted students with the
☑️ 3-second threshold for automatic recall
Students achieve automaticity with all addition and subtraction facts within 20, including fact families. Building on first-grade strategies, students focus on mastering subtraction while reinforcing their addition fluency. The 3-second threshold promotes true fluency, supporting one- and two-step word problems, mental math, and preparation for early multiplication.
💡 Teacher Tip: Integrate fact families, visual strategies, and manipulatives. Use small-group rotations to target students at different levels and celebrate progress with a “Wall of Fame.”
Third Grade Guide(Ages 8-9)
☑️ Beginning Multiplication & Division and/or
☑️ Regular Multiplication & Division
☑️ 6-second fluency threshold, progressing to
☑️ 3-second threshold for automatic recall
At this stage, students transition from basic fact fluency to mastering all four operations. Students refine multiplication and division fluency while reviewing addition and subtraction as needed. Fluency supports multi-digit calculations, problem-solving with larger numbers, and fractions introduction. Students apply automatic recall to more complex, multi-step word problems.
💡 Teacher Tip: Use fact fluency to accelerate learning of fractions, decimals, and early algebra concepts. Differentiated small-group instruction ensures all learners remain challenged.
Fourth Grade (Age 9-10)
☑️ Regular Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
☑️ 6 second fluency threshold
Building on their previous math fluency work, fourth graders focus not only on performing math operations quickly but also on precision and correctness in all four basic operations.
The 6-second fluency threshold introduces a greater challenge, requiring students to retrieve facts efficiently and develop automaticity—a key skill for multi-step problem-solving.
At this level, students refine their multiplication and division fluency, ensuring quick recall to support more advanced concepts, such as fractions, multi-digit multiplication, and division strategies.
Fifth Grade Guide (Ages 10-11)
☑️ Expanded Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
☑️ 6-second fluency threshold, progressing to
☑️ 3-second threshold for true fluency
Students consolidate all basic math facts across addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, including fact families and extended problem sets (up to 12s). Building on prior fluency, students focus on automatic recall, which supports multi-step word problems, fractions, decimals, and early pre-algebra concepts.
XtraMath follows a structured progression, ensuring accuracy first with the 6-second threshold, then strengthening true fluency with the 3-second threshold. This fluency frees working memory for higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications.
💡 Teacher Tip: Pair fluency practice with multi-step problems, fraction exercises, or real-world scenarios available in the teacher’s resources page. Plus, celebrate milestones with digital trophies and certificates to boost engagement. Use the XtraMath Wall of Fame in your classroom or school hallway.
6th Grade & Middle School Guide (Ages 11–14+)
For students in 6th grade and above, XtraMath remains highly valuable, even after they have mastered the 5th-grade “Expanded” program. At this level, the focus shifts from maintaining fluency, building speed, and applying automatic recall to more complex math tasks. Here’s how 6th graders can continue using XtraMath effectively:
☑️ Use the Assessment-Only Program to identify any remaining gaps or weaknesses in basic facts.
☑️ Expanded Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division or
☑️ Expanded Multiplication and Division (only)
☑️ 3-second fluency threshold, progressing to
☑️ 2-second threshold for true fluency
💡 Teacher Tip: Have students use their fluent math skills for real-world scenarios, such as calculating discounts, scaling recipes, or comparing quantities. Applying math facts in context reinforces relevance and builds confidence. Or Integrate activities that require using known facts for unknowns, like finding missing factors or solving simple equations. This bridges fluency practice to pre-algebra readiness, supporting a smooth transition into middle school math.
XtraMath Fluency Progression Chart
Consider Custom Programs for Personalized Learning!
With XtraMath Premium, educators can tailor fluency practice to meet diverse learning needs by:
- Selecting a specific program (e.g., “Multiplication”)
- Adjusting the program set level (Beginning, Regular, Expanded)
- Choosing fluency thresholds for more time or less time for greater challenges
These options ensure all students—struggling or advanced—receive appropriate support to build confidence and improve math fluency.
💡 A Premium license is required to assign Custom Programs to students.