Help Your Students with Multiplication Facts by Teaching Specific Strategies
We've all been there. Students are having troubles memorizing their multiplication facts. You've sent home flashcards, done numerous worksheets and drills - but some students still don't get it.
Some students are capable of memorization, but some will need specific strategies in order to succeed in being able to quickly recall multiplication facts. It's actually a good idea for all learners to use these strategies - but I'll get into that more later.
What are strategies?
Strategies are steps and processes that students can use to solve problems. These multiplication fact strategies are based on place value and number sense.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about using multiplication fact strategies:
Who is this for?
This can be used with accelerated 2nd graders who are ready to learn multiplication strategies. This can also be used with 3rd grade when introducing multiplication. These strategies are great for 4th and 5th graders who need extra practice with multiplication facts.
I have used this as review at the beginning of the year for all of my 4th graders.
I also use it throughout the year as an intervention for students who need extra practice with multiplication.
Why use this resource?
Teaching students these strategies has been a game-changer in my classroom! Memorization works for some students, but I’ve found that more and more students thrive having these concrete strategies to practice and rely on. This conceptual understanding will lead to faster recall and eventually memorization.
Why teach this order?
Teaching multiplication facts in this order (X2, X5, X10, X3, X4, X6, X7, X8, X9) helps students learn the strategies they will be using first. Many of the strategies require doubling and multiplying by 5 and 10.
When do you use this?
I built this into my math block at the beginning of the year because most of my class needed review.
You can also practice these strategies 5 minutes a day during morning meeting.
If a smaller amount of your students need this practice, you can do it during your intervention time.
If you want to see your students using efficient strategies to learn their multiplication facts this is for you!
What's included in this resource?
Multiplication Strategies Slideshow
The slideshow in the resource is designed to go along with the student notes document. As you introduce each strategy, students can take notes about which strategies they prefer. This slideshow is completely editable for you to make it fit your classroom!
Student Notes Packet
Students will use notes packet to keep track of their progress, write down strategies, and solve problems.
I have included an editable version in case you want to make changes for this to best fit your classroom and students.
Assessments
Assessing is one of the most important parts of teaching new content. All students can be introduced to these strategies, but some will already have strategies in place or have them memorized.
Exit Tickets
The exit tickets are short formative assessments that you can use after you introduce or practice a specific strategy.
If students have misconceptions about a strategy on their exit tickets, I try to work with them one-on-one or in a small group on that specific strategy.
Flashcards
These flashcards have been wonderful for partner practice or at-home practice.
Included are strategy-specific flashcards with ‘start with . . ‘ helpers for students when they look at them.
Also included are flashcards with blank ‘start with. .‘ sentence starters for students to fill in using the strategy of their choice. The more they practice and see that helper, the faster they will become!
Practice Pages
The practice pages are just that – extra practice for each strategy for students who need it.
You can have students practice independently, with a small group, or one-on-one depending on their needs.
Flipbook
The flipbook is an extra strategy reminder for those who are working on X4, X6, X7, X8, X9.
Students can use this instead of their student notes packet when they are practicing flashcards or doing another multiplication activity.
The flipbook is a quick resource. I like to keep one on by my small group table and one by my manipulative station for students to grab, when needed.
Game
Also included in the resource is a game students can use to practice solving multiplication facts using strategies of their choice!
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