Mastering multiplication facts can be very challenging for some students while others pick them up quickly. Memorization is not always easy, but for most students it is possible. If you are searching for ways to help your students remember their times tables and want to give them some extra help, check out these great ideas from Really Good Teachers just like you.
How to Learn Multiplication Facts
Practice Makes Perfect
Rote memorization is the way that many of todayâs adults learned how to multiply. While it does not have the pizzazz that some of the other methods possess, it is an effective way to remember the facts. Flashcard drills are an easy way to quickly see which facts still need to be memorized and which ones have been mastered. Pre-made cards or student-made flashcards using index cards can both be used effectively. Make flashcard practice a part of daily review and homework.
Sing Along
From multiplication rap songs to Schoolhouse Rock, there are plenty of videos on YouTube and other video sites that pique childrenâs interest by putting the math facts to music. Really Good Teacher Pam Mertel suggests using songs even with Fifth grade students. âI have used multiplication songs with fifth graders [and] they love them! Sing the threes to âJingle Bellsâ; fours to âOld McDonaldâ; sevens are âHappy Birthdayâ; eights [are] âSheâll Be Cominâ Round the Mountainâ; nines are âGrand Old Flagâ.â
Multiplication BINGO
Multiplication BINGO is a fun way to get students thinking about their multiplication facts while also thinking strategically. Print out blank BINGO cards and have students fill in the squares with the multiplication facts you are working on. You might also want to have some pre-made cards ready for those quick game play times. This is not only a great way to review after each multiplication lesson, but also a good way to review before unit or standardized tests.
Wear The Facts
Multiplication bracelets keep the facts on studentsâ minds throughout the day. They offer around-the-clock practice time and can motivate students to master their current facts so they can move on to the next bracelet. Let students take them home over night to encourage practice after school is over.
Find the Really Good Stuff Multiplication Fact Bracelets here.
Multiplication Dice
Really Good Teacher Lisa Brouwer suggests using The Dice Game to help students practice their multiplication facts. âTwo kids partner up with a set of dice. They take turns rolling and multiplying the two numbers they roll (ex. 2×6=12) and keep a list of each turn they take,â she explains. âAfter a set number of turns (you decide how many), they add up their answers to see who got the highest score.â
What are some of your favorite multiplication practice and memorization ideas? Share them with us below!
Joanne M. says
What a timely article! We have been working on our facts and some of the students are really struggling. Lately we have been playing multiplication football to give them more practice, but I will have to try some of these ideas. Thank you!
BJ Scholes says
Hi. I teach third grade and have 2 tips for practicing multiplication that my kids ask for a lot!
1. Around the world or travel – 1 student starts on one side of the room angst one other student. The tchr flashes a fact card and 1 st person to answer correctly continues to next student desk and goes head to head again. The goal is to “travel” around the room and beat everyone! The kids beg to play it and we squeeze it in whenever we can.
2. Bump board game – create your own board game with the product of 1 set of facts. For example x5. Place the products randomly all over the page. Using 1 dice a student rolls and multiples the number rolled by 5. So roll a 2, then 2 x 5. Students then place a marker on the product 10. Game continues and if another student rolls 2 then they bump the first student off the board. No winner per say, but kids love it!
Angie says
We made up a song using the students names. For example, this is the song we used to learn the fours.
Hannah, Hannah has looks galore, 4 times 1 equals four
Jalil, Jalil he’s so great, 4 times 2 equals eight
William, William he’s so swell, 4 times 3 equals twelve
Tyleena, tyleena she’s a queen, 4 times 4 equals sixteen
Eddie, Eddie he’s so funny, 4 times 5 equals twenty
The students got excited to hear their name.
Gina says
We have been busy learning our multiplication facts.
This year I have been trying some new things.
1. I reward my students with “Brag Beads” when they pass their test. This seems to be really motivating!!
2. We have a Secret Password I post on the door to enter in the morning they have to whisper the answer to the multiplication fact.
3. We also have been wearing stickers that I write the “Fearsome Fifteen” hardest facts that my students wear, they need to become the expert on the problem. As they line up I ask them their answer, in line at the bathrooms, all day.
4. Last we play scoot, I put flashcards numbered up in the hallway and the students have to silently match the problem on the flashcard with the block on their paper, It’s like a scavenger hunt.
Kelly says
I use a set of old Skip-Bo cards which have numbers from 1-12 to practice multiplication. The players each draw two cards which are the factors to multiply. The person with the highest product wins the cards for that hand. When there is a tie, they draw two more cards and the highest product from that set wins all of the cards in that hand. The winner is the student with the most cards once all cards are gone. If you don’t have the skip-Bo cards, a regular deck of cards can be used with the jacks representing 11, queens 12, and aces 1. The kings are wild and can be any number that can be used to make the highest product of that hand or alternatively can be used as a gotcha card to make the person drawing it have to return all his cards to pile.
Michelle says
I use Multiplication towers with cups. The kids love challenging each other and this is a great way for them to practice as they play the game.
Cynthia Greenlee says
In my class, we use many of the ideas in this article. We also use computer programs, such as Number Munchers to reinforce multiplication facts, as well as timed tests. My students are quite competitive and enjoy racing one another to complete the most on the timed tests.
Lauren says
I have the students create their own rhyme/song with the multiplication facts they are focusing on. Then I allow them to illustrate it!
donya hickey says
Tournament among students. They have to be the first team to answer to get the points. This way they hear them over and over and they want to practice so they won’t be the one standing there not knowing the answer.