Learning the Multiplication Facts

Getting math facts to stick in little minds can be a definite challenge for any teacher, yet is so important that students learn their facts, especially multiplication. Beginning in second grade, students begin to learn the ins and outs of multiplication and build an understanding using pictures and manipulatives. Once third grade hits, multiplication gets even deeper with bigger numbers and the dreaded task of committing all those facts to memory. So, how can you make it a little more fun? How can you get students to want to practice? I have found several ways throughout the years. Here are five fun ways you can make memorizing the times tables a little bit easier.

1.  Sing your facts. Really, find songs that help the students memorize the facts.  I recently purchased a set of songs that are to the tune of popular songs on the radio. The students beg to hear these songs during their lunch time (we eat lunch in the classroom).

2. Do speed drills. Sure, this will not please every kid in class, but what will? The goal is to reach as many as you can. I loved drills as a kid. Lots of kids love it because it feels like a race. We do a one minute drill sheet that focuses on the fact set that we are learning that week. We drill once a week. Students have one minute to write all the answers they can. After that, they write each fact and write those they missed three times. With this model, you see improvement daily. Students get so excited when they tell me that they beat their score from the day before.

3.  Make flashcards. My students have their own set of flashcards that they practice with each day. The way to make it more fun is to have them quiz a partner. Add a timer to the mix and you just ramped up the enjoyment by about 90%. I use sand timers. The students flash the cards to their partner over and over until the one minute is up. While timing their partner, they have to play close attention. If their partner misses a problem, they will tell the answer. Then the other partner will repeat the fact and answer three times before moving on to the next card.

4.  Play games. There are so many games that are so easy to play.

Class Games:  We love to play whole class games such as Around the World, The Stand Up Game, and Multiplication Relay.  

Around the World: Two students stand together at a time. I flash a card and the first student to say the correct answer moves on to the next student. The student that misses, sits down. Continue around the class until every child has had a chance to play. This is a quick and easy one.

The Stand Up Game: Everyone stands up. I use flashcards or just shout out a fact and call on a student. If they answer correctly, they stay standing. If they miss, they sit down. Last one standing wins, or whoever is still standing when the time is up will be proclaimed a winner.

Multiplication. On one side of the field, form two lines. One is team A, the other team B. Halfway down the field is bucket of fact cards for each team. The teacher stands on the other side of the field. When the teacher says go, one student from each team runs to the bucket, grabs a fact, runs to the teacher and says the answer. If a student does not know the answer, he or she must return to their team to get help. Once they know the correct answer, they run to the teacher and tell the answer. The team that answers all their cards first wins.                                                                    

Table Games: I invested in a few times tables games. My students love the game Speed. Another one I use is called………………………………

Computer Games: There are sites on the computer that also have games to practice times tables. One that I have used a lot with my class is multiplication.com. Students can focus on one fact set at a time.

Partner Games: I also love making quick and easy partner games for my class to use during math rotations. Whenever I introduce a new game, students are so excited and ready to practice their facts

5. Host a Multiplication Mania week. Why not kick off your learning of the times tables with a super-focused week of multiplication fun? Spend extra time playing games, singing songs, doing multiplication activities (such as arrays with food or multiplication crafts)? It is fun to do and will be sure to get your kids excited about multiplication.

Find this game here: Search and Rescue: An I-Spy Game

I hope these tips and tricks help you in your own journey into getting your class to learn the times tables. Below are some links to some of the games mentioned above. Simply click the picture and you will be taken to the site where you can find the resource.