Multiplication is a big deal in 3rd grade. It’s the first thing that pops in my mind when I think of 3rd grade math. I make an effort to spend a lot of time really teaching my students the math behind the multiplication facts because I fully believe that helps them master their facts. We practice daily until they are strong and fluent.
Many students struggle to master their multiplication facts because they are trying to memorize all of them and it’s TOO much!
The best thing we can do as math teachers, is to provide strategies that help students understand the math behind the product. If we teach them why 6 x 7 = 42 and show them multiple ways to get this answer, our students will stand a better chance of mastering this fact.
Here are my favorite practice activities to help my students really learn their multiplication facts.
Multiplication Models
Here students are given a fact and the must show the different ways to solve the problem. When I introduce multiplication, I teach my students to draw an array, draw a picture, skip count, and use repeated addition. This activity requires students to show all forms of the multiplication fact.
When we first begin our multiplication unit, I use an expo marker to write a multiplication fact on each desk. I give students manipulatives to create arrays and skip counting groups. I also let them write on their own desks to write the repeated addition and multiplication facts. This is a fun hands-on way to get into multiplication. Students can also switch desks so they can work on a new fact!
Arrays & Repeated Addition
This is a quick activity. We can usually do several of these in one day. I find that my students have trouble with this initially, but get the hang of it really quick.
I provide an array and the students write a repeated addition fact and a multiplication fact to match.
Skip Counting
I personally think skip counting is one of the most under-utilized multiplication strategies. Think of how much stronger our third graders would be if skip counting by 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 were a required Common Core standard for second graders!
When you ask your students to count by 2, 5, or 10 they can usually do it without any mental effort. And because of that, students always find the 2, 5, and 10 facts to be very easy to memorize. The truth is that students have memorized the pattern long before beginning multiplication in 3rd grade & this is very helpful!
I start working on skip counting as early as the first day of school. We keep working on it all year.
This is a tricky number talk but it is very beneficial to the multiplication process. These can be repeated often because the students need it!
And, while we are on this topic. We play the game Around the World in my classroom when we get a few minutes of down time. This Skip Counting version of the game is SO hard for my students when we first play & it takes several times of playing before they get quicker at it. I have found this to be an excellent way to practice skip counting.
Would you rather?
Students must solve the multiplication fact to determine which value is greater.
I created a digital file with these multiplication activities in my classroom. You can read more about content-based talks here & see the benefits I have found from adding content to my number talks.
