How to Learn Multiplication Facts

Students respond well to rote learning and memorization, and by implementing that style of teaching to learning multiplication facts, the student will be on a faster tract to mastering multiplication problems. Practice, practice, practice is essential for putting this knowledge to memory and being able to recall it when it has to be used. Learning multiplication facts does not have to be a painful ordeal and can be carried out simply and effectively when there is a willingness to practice, and it will be noticeable in the student’s ability to do math with precision and speed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start by learning the basic multiplication rules, which are: when you multiply any number by 0, the product will be 0 (example: 6 x 0 = 0); when you multiply any number by 1, the product will be that number (example: 3 x 1 = 3); when you multiply a number by 10, the product will be that number followed by a 0 (example: 10 x 5 = 50). Learning these basic rules will help the student attack multiplication problems with ease.

2. Create a multiplication table. This can be used as a quick reference while the student is learning to master multiplication. The student can make the table and glue it into the back of their book for future reference.

3. 
   Skip Counting

   Learn to skip count. This is also sometimes referred to as counting by a certain number. For example, a student can learn how to count by 2’s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24…
   This can help the student learn to identify patterns within the system of numbers they are counting by.

4. Use objects to look for patterns. Objects can be anything from cubes or beans to uncooked macaroni to pennies. These objects can be used to recreate patterns in problems such as 2 x 3 = 6 and 3 x 2 = 6. The student can arrange 2 rows or groups of 3 objects to produce the product of 6, and then they can arrange 3 rows or groups of 2 objects and still come up with the same product of 6. This will help the student see a pattern or relationship between the two problems.

5. Make flash cards that use all the problems in the basic multiplication groups. Once the flash cards are made, the student can run through them with parents or friends and this will help them quickly identify the problem and answer, putting it straight to memory.

6. Find and print multiplication tests, quizzes and worksheets, and use them to practice. The more use the student has with implementing multiplication, the more speed and ease will come from it.

7. Play multiplication math games. A good game to play is “Buzz”. This game will encourage a group of students to practice skip counting. The teacher or parent will choose a number to count by, the students will start counting from zero, and every time a person has to say a number that belongs to the group they are counting in they have to say “Buzz”. For example, the number group chosen is 3’s. The starting student says zero, next student says one, the next two, the next student would say “Buzz”, and so on (0, 1, 2, Buzz, 4, 5, Buzz, 7, 8, Buzz, etc…).

8. Implement a goal incentive game. The teacher can create a chart with all the students names, and each week ask the students to learn their multiplication groups (1 x 0 = 0, 1 x 1 = 1, 1 x 2 = 2, 1 x 3 = 3, all the way to 1 x 12 = 12, and do this for each number group to 12). When the student feels they are ready to recite the multiplication group out loud, and do it correctly they get to place a foiled star on the board. The student can go ahead and do as many multiplication groups as they feel they are ready to do and receive a star for it. At weeks end, if the student has earned at least 5 stars, they can choose a trinket (pencil, eraser, etc) from the trinket box. This will give the student a challenge to go home and practice the multiplication drills.

9. Search, find, or buy computer games that are multiplication specific. Games can be a fun way to keep a student interested in learning multiplication.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage practicing with friends. Sometimes learning in a group can be fun and motivating.