Math Facts and Spelling

The argument about math facts and whether kids should memorize their times tables or their addition facts reminds me of the debate about spelling.  In both cases, a real criticism about the way both spelling and math emerged based on the fact that both were being taught out of context.  For example, spelling had become an exercise separate from authentic reading and writing.  In the same way, it seems that memorization of math facts had been removed from authentic math work. What that meant for spelling and math was that the work became memorization without understanding (understanding of how our language works and understanding about how our number system works).  Unfortunately, from these valid criticisms emerged the misunderstanding that now there was no need to teach either spelling or math facts.  Now that that disaster has been exposed, the pendulum is slowly swinging back in the other direction. It would be best it seems to me if it stopped somewhere in the middle.  A place in which math facts and spelling were honored and taught as important skills but taught in context and with an emphasis on understanding.