memorizing multiplication tables - what worked for your kid?

[Anonymous]

I needed my son to master multiplication in 3 months for some test he had to do in 3rd grade. Sent him to Kumon. Before Kumon if I asked him what 8*7 was he'd count by 8s or 7s. After a couple of months of Kumon the answers tripped off his tongue before I could get the questions out of mouth.

[Anonymous]

I am NOT a math person, and I still have a hard time with my tables- here goes some suggestions that help me.

First off, you don't really have to learn all of them. Explain to your DC that 4X8 is the same as 8x4 and that you can flip the numbers around and get the same answer. That cuts the work in half.

There is a good rule for 9's. If you add up the answer to any 9 tables question, it equals 9.

1x9=9
2x9=18. 1+8=9.
3X9=27. 2+7=9
4X9=36. 3+6=9
5x9=45. 4+5=9
6x9=54. 5+4=9
7x9=63. 6+3=9
8x9=72. 7+2=9
9x9=81. 8+1=9

Its an easy way to double check your answer. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

It's very overwhelming for a kid to see the WHOLE list that has to be memorized. Break it down into manageable chunks, and work on it a little at a time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:old-world eastern european teacher who was so strict that if you didn't come to class with a red pen you'd be asked to leave. that, and every friday, a 60-second quiz in which you had to complete 100 multiplication problems (everything up to 12*12).

I can't even write the numbers down than fast. How did you do it?

[Anonymous]

Print a multiplication table (http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/computer/multiplication-tables/times-table-10x10.gif)

Highlight the ones your child knows as he/she learns it.

Learn the 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's first.

Teach the 9's trick - seen in a previous post. One thing missing is the 1st number in the answer is 1 less than the number - 9*5 (one less is 4)(4+5=9) 45, 9*8 (one less is 7)(7+2=9) 72.

Now you need to learn the 3's - you already have 1,2,5,9,10 so 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. I have no trick for this except what is the score when you have 3 touchdown - most kids know 21. Now you just have to memorize 3, 4, 6, and 8.

Now you learn 4's - 4, 6, 7, 8 - memorize.

So if you memorize the 3's and 4's you only have to memorie 8 - make worksheets with just these 8 problems.

Now the dreaded 6, 7, and 8.

If you 8 and 8 you would get sick(six) on the floor(4) 8x8=64. I know I am desperate at this point.

now you have 6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 7x7, 7x8 - that is only 5 to memorize.

Tada!

Kids don't really need to memorize these but schools expect it and kids get discouraged if they can't do it and their friends can.

As you cross off the numbers on the chart the kid feels accomplished.

Also there are math drills/games - a+math.com

[Anonymous]

I like making up stories for the 6, 7, and 8 facts.

"She 8 and 8 and got sick on the floor (64)."

6 and 8 went out to skate. They came back with 48. (You can draw a cartoon for this if you like, with 48 being a hockey player with 48 on his jersey).

For 6X6 - draw two 6's in a desert; given them hands and feet. Draw them with drops of sweat, a hot sun overhead, near a cactus. What do you have? A pair of thirsty sixes! (36)


56=7X8 (the numbers are in order)

[Anonymous]

Flocabulary math fact raps

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the whole thread. We used many different methods for many kids. Some did well with flash cards, skip counting, timed math tests, and games like yahtZee. One thing I learned very late in the game is thtat if you do it right before sleep their brain processes the information while they sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3rd grade is, in my opinion, really early to be too worried about this. Figuring out the math facts (skip counting, counting up and down from known facts, using partial products) are great ways for kids to really understand the meaning of multiplication and division. If we turn it into a memory task too early we're taking away those opportunities.

Ahem, my MCPS 1st grader is REQUIRED to learn multiplication facts....Likely why OP asked...

[Anonymous]

I call BS on the PP. Maybe your first grader is required to learn addition/subtraction facts but not multiplication facts.

[Anonymous]

Check out "holey cards". http://www.holeycards.com/ My DS used these in his 3rd grade AAP class at the begining of the year for learning multiplication and division (provided by the math teacher). I'm going to order the addition and subtraction cards for my rising 1st grader.