When it comes to multiplication practice activities, most teachers follow a standard routine using standard materials. They usually introduce one table at a time, and tricks if there are any, maybe send home flashcards, and then give students a timed test. What’s currently available is usually timed tests that assess automaticity for individual tables, such as a 2’s test, a 3’s test, and so on. And then teachers will give a cumulative test. Sometimes you can find one for 0-6’s in addition to 0-12’s.
The way I see it, there is a huge gap here. There’s a gap in how we practice the tables and in how we assess them.
Gaps in Multiplication Practice Activities & Assessment
We Teach and test on a single table and then move on, only using a cumulative review test at the end, or sometimes also the half way mark.
We like to assume that kids pass a test, like the threes, and then move on to the fours, forever remembering their threes as they go. But then they take a 6’s test. By this time they’ve forgotten their threes (which is evident when they don’t know 6×3) and they feel frustrated with working so hard on each table only to forget them. And when they take a 0-6 test they’ve forgotten their 3’s and 4’s!
Let’s face it, for some kids, the struggle will always be real. For many kids it will just take another year of two practice before they really have them down. But the practice has to keep going. It’s not a one and done thing. Since multiplication is a foundation piece of so many future math skills, it has to be an area of HUGE focus for 3-6 grade teachers. That’s right. You 5th and 6th grade teachers know some of your kids came to you still not knowing all their tables. Keep fighting for it. It’s important.
So to fill the gaps in practice, you need to have kids not only practice the new tables, but also keep practicing cumulatively as they go. That means they need to practice the threes, and then practice 0-3. Then learn and practice 4’s, and 0-4’s. We can’t keep isolating tables in the early years and expect them to be remembered on one to two cumulative tests. That’s why I created my multiplication sets!
Engaging, Targeted, and Cumulative Multiplication Practice
I created these mini packs to target practice, in more engaging ways than flashcards and drill tests, in each individual table. Spoiler alert, I have them available in my Teacher Pay Teachers store both as individual sets (if you only need one or two tables) or in a money saving bundle where you can get them all.
I designed these to have:
-Targeted practice two ways- that means two activities targeting the single table you’re practicing. Two ways to practice the threes, two ways to practice the fours, etc…
-Cumulative practice – Each pack has an activity helping students practice 0-whatever number they’re on. So instead of having a cumulative test at 0-6 and 0-12, you have 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, etc. Keep it cumulative as you go. Note- These are cumulative practice activities, not tests.
-Most of these packs have an individual practice item and a partner or small group item. You can use both activities or pick one that suits your needs at the time. These can be used in guided practice, independent practice, or at math stations and centers. Some are even suitable for homework.
-They are low or no prep. Several are copy-and-use with a marker or game-piece type activities.
For example- In the 3’s pack there are two activities that have students think about and remember their 3’s tables. It’s targeted and requires more than memorization.
There’s a “Make a Chain with Threes” partner game where students color one threes fact and it’s answer. The winner is the person with the longest chain in a row covered. So they need their facts and strategies.
There’s also an individual practice odd and even sort. In this one students can either cut and paste (great for a math notebook!) or just rewrite the fact in the appropriate column according to whether the answer is odd or even. This is targeted to threes and has built in spiral review of odd and even at the same time. Win!
Then the pack has 1 cumulative item. In this case it’s a race to 100 game that reviews the 0-3 tables by combining the numbers 0-3 on a spinner with the numbers 0-10 from a 10 sided die to mark a spot on a multiplication table. The person with the most squares marked wins.
If you want to try it, the Make a Chain game is actually my featured freebie in my Teachers Pay Teachers store!
But I have these packs for every table from 2 through 12! And you can buy them individually, or save money by getting the whole bundle at a discount!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Bundle-2975456
One Response
Thanks again!