What are some really good strategies (other than making arrays and repeated addition) students can use to help with basic multiplication? Any good multiplication online games with visuals would be helpful too?
The single best product I ever bought was a record called Multiplication Motivation. Now of course it is available as a cd.
They are skip counting songs but each is a different style of music. I introduced the songs early in the year, even though we didn't officially begin multiplication until January. Being able to quickly recall the products takes the stress off of learning the facts and allows the students to focus on problem solving.
I volunteer at my school and the last few months I've been helping a brand new teacher who is covering a third grade class while their teacher is on maternity leave. We are using the songs and the children really enjoy it.
Long before I discovered Jen Saul's videos on the Teaching Channel I discovered the Multiplication Motivation recording. She does an awesome job of including movement with the songs. I wish I had thought of that!
Last edited by RetiredKat; 03-28-2019 at 04:09 AM..
Reason: more info
I use skip counting videos as well-I use the skip counting videos by havefunteching on youtube. My kids love them and beg for them. I actually use it as a carrot-"we can do skip counting videos if you clean up and set up for math quickly but we wont have time if you stop to talk to your friends". We dance along with it as well to get some wiggles out prior to sitting down for direct instruction.
I like that its totally multi-sensory. It has a visual, and auditory and a kinesthetic component to reinforce the pattern to multiplication facts.
Also, practice practice practice. The kids use prodigy math at home (and little bit in school but not a ton-I was not terribly happy with the number of attempted problems most kids had. 15 problems in 30 minutes is not efficient and they are better off playing multiplication war card games on the carpet in pairs)
Thank you so much for replying. I checked out the videos- they are short, straightforward, and covers multiple senses. I can't wait to implement these to start math instruction next week.
I'm on an email list "From Playdough to Plato. (Love the name). She has links to skip counting posters. If you Google "skip counting posters" there will be 2 links to access the free posters. The links are from The STEM Laboratory. Simple, clearcut, and colorful!
Her website is pretty awesome with lots more freebies for prek - 1st.
When my own son was learning his facts, we played a lot of multiplication bingo! - Put the answers on the grid boards, then roll two dice/draw two cards/whatever to provide the numbers to be multiplied.
Similar to what others have mentioned, we also listened to the old Schoolhouse Rock songs in the car. - You could have them playing as they come in to class, or when they're packing up, or even as background on rainy, indoor recess days.
I would give each child a blank bingo board. I would list the products on the board for at least 25 facts. The children would write each product in a separate box in random order. That was the easiest way I found for being sure each board was different. Bingo is an oldie but goodie!
Get a copy of Marilyn Burns book on Multiplication. You might even find a copy at the library or they could borrow it for you from another library. She makes learning x's fact fun & has literature ideas as well.
She's written numerous math books.
Thank you jjwire. I certainly know Marilyn Burns. I have read a couple of her books and used many of her math solutions resources. I will definitely look into this. Thank you for mentioning the literature piece. It is my goal to also include literacy (especially reading) in math.
1. On your whiteboard, write 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. Students count by twos forwards and backwards. Erase one or two numbers. Students count by twos again. Erase one or two more numbers. Students continue counting by twos until all numbers are erased. (This can be done with any counting-by group of numbers.)
2. When counting by fives and tens, use nickels and dimes.
3. When counting by threes, use green (triangle) pattern blocks. When counting by fours, use orange (square) pattern blocks. When counting by sixes, use yellow (hexagon) pattern blocks. Count the sides.
4. Have all your students stand. The first person says 3, the next person says 6, the next person says 9, etc. The last person says 30. The next person says 27, the next person says 24, etc. When a child makes a mistake, he/she must sit down.
5. Play "Beat the Calculator." (This can also be played for addition.) Materials: deck of cards (aces to 10); calculator; piece of paper for keeping score Players: 3 (This game may also be played with two players. One will be the “caller” and the “brain,” and the second player will be the “calculator” and scorekeeper.) Directions:
--One player is the “caller.” A second player is the “calculator.” The third player is the “brain.”
--Shuffle the cards and place them facedown on the table. (The ace will equal one.)
--The “caller” draws two cards from the number deck and asks for the product of the numbers.
--The “calculator” solves the problem with a calculator. The “brain” solves it without a calculator. The “caller” decides who got the answer first. (The “caller” is also the scorekeeper.)
--The “caller” continues to draw two cards at a time from the number deck and asks for the product of the numbers.
--Players trade roles every ten turns. Example:
--The “caller” draws a 10 and a 7. The “caller” says “10 times
7.”
--The “brain” and the “calculator” each solve the problem.
--The “caller” decides who got the answer first.
Connie,
Thank you so much for responding. I can use all of your ideas as I prepare to close out another school year. #3 surprised me. I never thought to use pattern blocks to teach multiplication!
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03-27-2019, 05:04 PM
