How to Help a Student Having Problems With Multiplication
When a student has trouble with multiplication, it generally stems from never having memorized multiplication facts. Multiplication fact memorization is the key to successful multiplication of double-digit numbers. Students are either right-brain learners or left-brain learners. The left-brain learner easily memorizes math facts, while the right-brain learner struggles. The right-brain student needs a visual depiction, story or color to relate to the problem in order to remember the answer. Whether children are right-brain or left-brain learners, daily practice in mastering the facts can help solve their difficulty with multiplication.
Instructions
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Determine whether the child is a right-brain or left-brain learner. A left brain learner is organized, independent, thinks logically, enjoys learning facts., and prefers talking and writing. A right-brain learner is artistic, social, looks at the big picture, likes open-ended information, is spontaneous and more emotional. If you are not sure about the child, take the quiz at Left Brain Child (leftbrainchild.com) or The Art Institute of Vancouver (wherecreativitygoestoschool.com)
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Write multiplication problems on the front of index cards, and the answer on the back for the left-brained child. Write the entire problem, with the answer written in color, on the front of the card for the right-brained child, who learns best by seeing the whole picture. Drill with the flash cards for five to 10 minutes each day.
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Encourage the left-brained student to say the multiplication problem out loud during practice. Instruct the right-brained student to write the problems out with different-colored crayons during practice.
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Play a multiplication game for 10 minutes each day after the math facts have been reviewed. Find games online at websites like Multiplication.com, Fun 4 the Brain (fun4thebrain.com), or purchase board games to play with the child.
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Test the child at the end of each practice session with a timed math quiz. Focus on just the facts the child is trying to learn, or cover all facts at once. Allow approximately two to four seconds per problem.
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Tips & Warnings
If the child is still having trouble learning multiplication, consider using manipulatives to demonstrate what the math problem looks like apart from the numbers. A manipulative is any physical object the child can use for counting. Jelly beans, coins, blocks and marbles all work well.
Multiplication facts set to music may help the left-brain child memorize more efficiently. Left-brain children are auditory learners.
References
Resources
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