Same here. Drill and kill is counterproductive for some kids. And straight memorization isn't the only way--or the best way for some kids--to know facts fast.
Our DS had to decide it was worth it to him to learn the facts. Now *he's* the one driving the math facts bus, and we're having a lot more success.
Obviously kids must learn the math facts and know them fast. But "if you do less, then you are not doing your best" definitely isn't the way we're approaching it.
(It probably also helps us that DS4 is eager to learn the times tables now, so DS7 is driven to learn them before his little brother! Sibling rivalry can be a good thing!
)
