Multiplication Madness

The TEKS say third graders should know their multiplication facts through 10 x 10 and fourth graders through 12 x 12. We are devoting forty minutes per day to developing fluency with multiplication facts in grades 3-5. Why? Students will use the facts to solve larger multiplication problems, in division, simplifying fractions, factoring numbers to find the greatest common factor, measurement conversions, and the list goes on and on.  Fluency is not just speed, it is having an efficient and accurate strategy, but it is also having flexibility in thinking.

For ten minutes daily, students focus on learning and practicing a set of facts. The teachers do various activities over a two week period to help students focus on the set of facts. In the video below, a fifth grade class is doing a Kim Sutton activity we call the Groups Of game. Each student has a game board they fill in with the products of the set of facts they are learning. For example, if they are learning the multiples of 7, they fill in their game board with all the multiples of 7.  The teacher uses the random number CD which calls out a number. The student then multiplies the number called by the number they are working on. For example, if they are working on 7's and the number called is 8, they would multiply 7 x 8 to get 56. If they have 56 on their game board, they cover it up. The first one to cover up all the products on their game board wins. The video shows a fifth grade class doing this activity. 

During independent learning time, students work independently or with a partner to practice facts by playing games, logging on to XtraMath, using iPad apps, etc.  Periodically students take a timed test to assess what they know and if they need continued practice or are ready to move on to another set of facts. 

We are tracking student progress and in May, we will have our first grade level, campus level, and district-wide Multiplication Bee. I can't wait to see how all the "time" we've put into learning our "times facts" pays off! 

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