Learning Multiplication is More than Memorization!

I have a vivid memory of learning multiplication in third grade.  My teacher, Mrs. Bowman, drew three circles on the chalkboard.  Then she put five milk bottles in each one.  She said this is 3 x 5, which is 15 milk bottles.

That’s really all I remember about learning multiplication, but for some reason, it stuck!  I also remember using my Pee-Chee folder to look up the multiplication tables for dividing in fourth grade.  I think that is how I memorized them.  But times have changed.

How is Learning Multiplication Today Different?

Today, students have to understand the relationship between addition and multiplication as well as multiplication and division.  They have to understand multiplication as equal groups modeled with objects or arrays.  Students need to understand how to use the Properties of Multiplication.  And yes, students need to multiply within 100 fluently. So that means that learning multiplication is more than memorization.

Why is Skip Counting Important for Learning Multiplication

I start with skip counting.  Most students by third grade can skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s. There are many ways to practice this.

• skip counting songs
• videos 
• counting bundles of objects 
• choral chants
• poems

Why is it important?  Part of having multiplication fluency is automaticity.  Being able to recall easily.  Skip counting can build easy recall and automaticity when learning multiplication.  Skip counting doesn’t have to be done during a math block.  When you have a few minutes between subjects or need to fill in some time, try skip counting.  Or make it part of your math routine as a warm-up for the first 3-5 minutes. Skip counting also starts to build the sense of multiplicative reasoning. Thinking in terms of groups or jumps of a certain size (factor).

Learning the Squares

What? What squares, you ask?  A square is a factor that is multiplied by itself:  3 x 3, or 4 x 4.  Why learn these?  If you exclude 0 and 1, there are only 11 squares to memorize (2 x 2 up to 12 x 12). 

Why are Equal Groups Important for Learning Multiplication?

First up is to teach the concept of multiplication as equal groups.  Why?  Equal groups are related to repeated addition and arrays.  I started the lesson with a Multiplication PowerPoint that I created specifically for my third graders.  It is actually 3 lessons (Lesson 1 is Equal Groups, Lesson 2 is Arrays, and Lesson 3 is number lines).

I created this PowerPoint because I needed a way to demonstrate these concepts in an engaging and fun way. I also wanted to make multiplication VISUAL.  This PowerPoint is animated, has sound effects, questions to generate mathematical thinking and partner sharing.  But most importantly, it integrates a hands-on learning approach with manipulatives while making math visual.

Once I introduce the concept of equal groups, it’s time to practice with some hands-on math.  I’m a big believer that children need to work on a concrete level of mathematics before even attempting to understand the symbols and numbers attached to abstract reasoning.  In the PowerPoint, there are specific slides that engage the students with hands-on math.

Hands-on Time for Learning Multiplication

I instructed the students to take out 12 tiles.  I demonstrated how to put them into equal groups of 6. Then I had them practice putting the same 12 tiles into groups of 4, then 3, and 2.   Each student had a dry erase marker to draw the circles on their desk around the groups to see the groups visually.

We practiced using the vocabulary:  3 groups of 4, 6 groups of 2, 4 groups of 3, etc.  When I could determine that most of the class understood equal groups, we practiced with a printable I created to go along with the PowerPoint.

I collected the printable, so I could quickly assess student understanding of equal groups.  The students also worked on similar problems in their consumable math book.  The homework also followed up on this concept of equal groups.

Repeated Addition is linked to Equal groups and Skip Counting

The next day I reviewed equal groups again.  Then it was time to introduce the concept of repeated addition.  By the way, there is controversy about whether we should even teach multiplication as repeated addition!  But don’t panic. I would say yes, go ahead and teach it as repeated addition.  You can read the linked article to see why there is a controversy about this!

So I posed a problem for them:  Looking at the equal groups on your desk, how could you quickly find the total without skip counting?  Eventually, we talked about how we could just add each group together (3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12).   What is the purpose of this?  It’s to get kids to see multiplication from many perspectives:  what it is and what it isn’t.

For example, would that be multiplication if you had 3 groups of 2 and 1 group of 3?  Some would say yes, and some would say no.  No, because the groups aren’t equal.  Yes, because you can multiply the equal groups and then add the unequal group.  The point is, addition is related to multiplication, and the students need to know that!

How to Use Arrays to Teach Multiplication

On a different day, I present a problem on the whiteboard, such as the one below.  With that, I instruct the students to use the foam tiles to solve the problem in any way they could.  As this was happening, I would search for students who used equal groups and send them to the board to copy their solution below the problem.

I looked for other students who also used equal groups but put the groups differently to go up to the board to copy their solution.  Finally, if any of the students lined up their tiles in an array, I would have that student go up and copy it, too!

Once I had several solutions, we came back as a class, and I had each of those students explain how they arrived at their solution.

The other students had to listen because they knew I would use the Math Talk prompts

• who can repeat that?
• anyone else can add to that?
• who can explain it a different way?

In this video, you’ll see the student constructing an array for a different problem.

The Student Explains How He Used an Array

But first, I had him come up and explained what he did.   Would you believe me if I told you that he actually used the term rows!  Yes, he did!  I said I had to record his thinking on the board, so I wrote:  4 tiles in 3 rows.  I explained to my class that this student just discovered another way to multiply:  arrays!

At this point, I explained that arrays are groups, but they are formed with equal rows and columns and have a rectangular or square shape.

I continued with lesson 2 of the Multiplication PowerPoint  I created:  using arrays.  We continued to practice forming arrays to match a multiplication sentence.  Once I knew the students had gotten it, I had the work with a partner on a more complicated multiplication fact such as 8 x 6, which required making a larger array.

Working as partners, they could quickly assemble the array and produce a product.  Finally, I assigned them independent work from the consumable, which you see below.

Using a Number line for Learning Multiplication

You would think that such a great visual used since first or second grade would work wonderfully for learning multiplication.  Nope.  Using a number line is tricky and confusing for kids.

What difficulties would they encounter?

• not starting at zero
• not skip counting correctly
• counting the starting number as part of the skip counting
• confusing “jumps” with “how many to jump”

In my instruction, I gave each student these wonderful and colorful number lines, which I laminated. I like that they only go up to 30, which is a good number when dealing with multiplication.  But before that, I started with Lesson 3 of the Multiplication PowerPoint I created.  Through animation it shows how to jump on a number line to multiply.

I taught them these steps when we practiced with whiteboards.

Example:  for 3 groups of 4 or 3 x 4

1. Circle the first number in the multiplication sentence.  This is the number of jumps.
2. Underline the second number in the multiplication sentence.  This is how much to jump.
3. Put a dot on the zero.
4. Jump to the number 4 (as in this example of 3 x 4) and put a dot.
5. Then draw an arched line back to the zero.  Label it with 1.
6. Then count ahead another 4 spaces or lines and put a dot.
7. Draw an arched line back to the previous dot, label it with a 2
8. Continue the process until you have 3 jumps (as in this example of 3 x 4).
9. What is the final number?

I sometimes prefer to use the consumable Go Math book to save on copying paper.  I hand pick which problems the students would work on. Using a number line for multiplication can be tricky so I preferred to focus on the procedure for the initial lessons since they already knew about the concept of multiplication.

Properties of Multiplication for Learning Multiplication

So what is left to teach for learning multiplication?  The Properties of Multiplication!  These properties are essential for learning multiplication.  Why?  Because they make learning the multiplication facts easier!

Because of the Zero and Identity Properties of Multiplication, we know that any factor multiplied by zero is zero, while any factor multiplied by 1 is that factor.  But the most important property is the Commutative Property.  Knowing that 7 x 4 produces the same product as  4 x 7 reduces the number of facts to memorize when you consider the entire multiplication chart.

Watch this YouTube video that explains how the entire multiplication chart can be brought down to 6 facts to memorize.

What Resources Do I Use to Teach the Properties of Multiplication?

I also have developed a PowerPoint for the Properties of Multiplication (Zero, Identity, Commutative and Associative Properties).

I also have some follow-up activities to reinforce those properties:  Properties of Multiplication Practice.

These reinforcement activities include:

• Bookmark to use as a study guide
• Flap book with the definitions and examples of the properties
• Mini-book of the properties
• Venn Diagrams to compare the properties
• Commutative Property Match Up Center 
• and Multiplication Hero!

The last one has been a favorite of my students.  It uses this page-sized X for multiplication.  On it, the student writes the definition of each of the properties and an example.  Then the X is cut out and taped to the student’s chest (one piece of masking tape folded over is enough).

To play Multiplication Hero, two students face each other.  One student reads a definition or gives an example of one of the properties by reading his partner’s X taped to their chest.  The other student has to name the property.  If the answer is correct, they cross their arms across their chest and say, multiplication hero!  They continue to switch partners.  This is a fun game to play for a review.

Are We Done Yet? No!

I’ve taught my students to skip count, the multiplication squares, models for multiplication (equal groups, arrays, and number lines),  and the Properties of Multiplication.  So what is left to do?  Eventually, all students do have to memorize the multiplication facts.

The act of focusing on something for a length of time until it becomes committed to long-term memory requires discipline and good habits.

At the Back to School Night, I give each parent a folder with my Multiplication Homework Activity Chart.  I once again remind the parents during parent conferences that this homework will now begin.  I explain how the chart works.  Essentially, the student must complete 3 activities (or more) per week to make a tic-tac-toe.

The activities are varied with different approaches to learning the facts.  I provide copy masters to make flash cards, paper dice, pre-made recording sheets, and links to many multiplication websites.  The students do this as weekly homework for 3- 6 months.

Learning the facts is self-paced, and the chart provides many different ways to memorize them. This resource comes with everything you need to get your students studying multiplication facts. There is also a bilingual English-Spanish version as well.

Tips for Learning the Multiplication Tables

But that isn’t usually enough.  I also teach my students strategies or tips for each multiplication table.  For example, doubling the 2s will give you the four times table.  Example:  4 x 6 is like 2 x 6 doubled.  2 x 6 = 12, then double it and you get 24!  The same trick works for the 3s and 6s.

I have created a Multiplication Tips and Strategies Chart of these tips and strategies to give each student in their math folder.  An additional copy also goes home.

I turned the chart into Multiplication Tips and Strategies Posters that also hang on my math board for reference.

You can try out the Multiplication Tips and Strategies Posters SAMPLER here.

I Provide Practice Time in Class

Usually, around the beginning of December, when I start teaching division, some students are stuck on a particular multiplication table. That is when I bring out the Multiplication Practice Cards for select students.

I already have these stored in baggies with a dry erase marker and felt eraser.  I give the student the set for a particular multiplication table, and they take it home to study.  When I started this process last year, it helped jump-start those kids that were stuck.

My Ah-Hah Moment!

Usually, around late January or early February, I started noticing that students who previously learned a complete multiplication table now couldn’t remember it.  Not with all the tables, but mostly with the 3s, 4s, 6s, 7s, 8s.  Obviously, memorization is NOT enough.

That is when I discovered the multiplication fluency strategies.  These are the missing link to multiplication fluency.  Now, don’t panic.  If you’ve taught skip counting, the squares, and the Properties of Multiplication, then you’ve taught about half of the strategies already!

Don’t Forget to Teach the OTHER Half of the Strategies!

The other half of the strategies involve teaching

• halving and doubling
• adding a group
• subtracting a group
• using a square
• using the distributive property

When combined with the previous teaching, these are the strategies that will have your students multiplying fluently by the end of the year. The strategies also develop the sense of multiplicative reasoning that is carried on through fifth grade.

You can read more about these strategies on this blog post:  Frustrated That Students Don’t Know the Multiplication Facts?

Here’s a video of the halving and doubling strategy being used:

A New Way to Practice Multiplication!

Do you need your students to practice solving multiplication equations using arrays, equal groups, and number lines? Do you need your students to practice solving multiplication word problems? Do you need to have your students practice virtually? Then, check out this newest resource for multiplication: a self-checking Google Slides Multiplication Practice Game!

You Can Get a Guide to These Strategies for FREE!

At first, students practice these strategies with paper and pencil (or laminated templates and dry erase markers). Once they get some practice, we try to do some examples as mental math.  Using these strategies as mental math strategies is the ultimate goal.

I want to offer you this FREE Guide to Achieving Multiplication Fluency that explains all the strategies while giving you suggestions for teaching these strategies to your students.  By signing up below for my newsletter, I’ll send you a link to the Guide to Achieving Multiplication Fluency.

You will see that these strategies will provide the missing link to attaining multiplication fluency.  Introduce these strategies in the second half of the year to boost your students’ multiplication fluency.

Here’s another resource I created to make teaching these strategies easier for you.  The resource saves you time and effort in creating all the materials needed to support these strategies.

The resource comes with teaching posters, teaching suggestions, games for practice, practice templates, practice pages, and more.  If you sign up for my Newsletter to get the FREE Guide to Achieving Multiplication Fluency, I’ll also send you some information on how to get the Multiplication Fluency Resources package at a discount!

Don’t Go Yet!

What is your plan to teach multiplication during the year?

Share your ideas in the comments!