How to Teach the Multiplication Tables to Your Child Colorado

Steps

1. Make sure you have the time to study with your child, and that they are not tired or preoccupied with other things. Energy and enthusiasm are very important.
2. Ask your child to bring you their math book, so you can see exactly what they are studying, and the teaching method used in school.
3. Study only one or two rows of the table at a time.
4. Have a number line handy showing the numbers 0 through 100. If you are working on the multiples of 3, then ask the child to count through the number line, circling all the multiples of 3. Point out that each consecutive multiple is separated by three spaces.
5. Show how each multiple in a row can be found by repeatedly adding the same number. For example, the multiples of 3 ---6, 9, 12, 15, 18, etc--- can be found by starting at 6 and repeatedly adding 3.
6. Show your child that the first row matches the first column, the second row matches the second column, etc. This means that the order of the number does not affect the answer. 3 x 7 = 21 and 7 x 3 = 21.
7. Discuss patterns in the whole chart.
   • For example:
     • All the multiples of ten end in zero.
     • All the multiples of 5 are half as large as the multiples of ten.
     • Some numbers, like 24, are listed under different factors: 2 x 12 = 24, 3 x 8 = 24, 4 x 6 = 24
8. Help your student memorize the multiples. They need to understand the patterns, yes, but nothing will quite take the place of a rapid, memorized response. Here are some ideas for memorization methods:
   • Have your child make a set of flash cards. Write the problem, like 4 x 9, on the front, and the answer, 36, on the back. The act of writing out the multiples will provide another repetition/reinforcement. Then you can use the cards to help them review. Show the problem, have them say the answer.
   • Provide a blank chart, or perhaps just a blank row. Have your student fill in as many spaces as possible within a time limit --- perhaps 30 seconds for a row, maybe 3 minutes for an entire chart. Then, in a different colored pen/pencil, have them fill in the blank spaces while looking at a completed chart. Have them study the whole thing again, then repeat the process. (Don't do more than two repetitions, though, or you risk burn out.)
   • Say a number, like 30, and see if they can list all of the possible combinations that multiply to it --- 5 x 6, 3 x 10
   • Say a number, then ask for the next multiple. For example, start at 30 and ask for the next multiple of 6. Or start at 18 and ask for the next two multiples of 9. (You could even start at 22 and ask for the next multiple of 4, even though 22 is not a multiple of 4.)
   • Give a range, like 20 through 30, and ask the student to list all multiplication problems that fit into the range. For example, 2 x 11, 2 x 12, 2 x 13, 2 x 14, 3 x 7, 3 x 8, 3 x 9, 4 x 5, 4 x 6, 4 x 7, and 5 x 5 are all between 20 and 30.
   • Invent or adapt games to suit the flashcards.
     • • For example, try multiplication table bingo. Your student fills in a six-by-six grid with whatever numbers they want. You read off a problem like "5 x 7". If they have 35 on their bingo card, then they mark it off. Continue until someone has a "bingo".

Tips

• Do not tire your child out by working on too many rows or patterns at a time.
• Allow them to completely learn how they can combine numbers in different ways to get the same answer.
• Let them become 'friends' with numbers, so that when they get into Algebra, combinations will not 'scare' them.
• Be kind and patient. If need be, just work with one combination for a few days, until the child completely understands.

Warnings

• Do not yell at them, if they forget, or berate them, if they do not understand.
• Never, ever use the word "stupid". Do not use it to refer to the student, the teacher, or the material.
• With algebra, stay away from the program called "Hands on Equations" --- they teach confusing stuff.

Sources and Citations

• Multiply
• Multiplication Worksheets, Charts & Certificates
• Learn figures
• Master tables in half an hour using nothing but a ruler, pen and paper with this simple and effective tutorial

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