I’ll be the first to admit that there are some math concepts that make me wonder, “When will I ever use this again?” That’s definitely not the case with multiplication. Knowing multiplication is one of those essential skills we use all the time in the real world. Isn’t that what education is all about – preparing us for real-life situations? Many students find multiplication challenging, but with the right resources, we can turn that struggle into fun and success. Today, I’m sharing with you some fantastic tools and strategies to help make learning multiplication enjoyable and effective for all students!

Why Our Students Need to Know Their Multiplication Facts

It’s simple: multiplication is everywhere! From dividing up a pizza for dinner to calculating the total cost of a school fundraiser, these skills are used in countless everyday situations. By mastering multiplication early on, our students develop a strong foundation for more complex math concepts. They also enhance their confidence and problem-solving abilities.

When our students grasp multiplication, they’re better equipped to tackle advanced topics like fractions and division. It also makes math feel less intimidating and more approachable. This early confidence can lead to a lifelong appreciation for math by turning it from a dreaded subject into an exciting challenge.

Understanding multiplication helps in other subjects, too. For example, in science, our students might need to calculate the number of legs on multiple insects or determine the total number of seeds planted in a garden. It even plays a role in developing logical thinking and pattern recognition – skills that are invaluable in every aspect of life.

So, we need to invest the time to teach and apply multiplication skills in our classrooms. By turning these lessons into engaging activities, we can help our students see the real-world value of math and set them up for future success. 

Resources and Activities to Teach Multiplication Skills

1. Times Tales

Let me tell you about a fantastic resource called Times Tales. It teaches kids the upper times tables without the need for rote memorization. Instead, students follow along with entertaining stories that make learning fun. As they progress, they start associating these stories with real math concepts. 

Hundreds of kids have learned their times tables quickly using this incredibly fun and easy-to-understand animated video series. Times Tales has different bundles that use simple, cute stories to teach multiplication. These stories act as “memory pegs,” helping students quickly recall otherwise abstract multiplication facts. As they watch, they learn multiplication without even realizing it! It’s that easy!

I can definitely say that the stories, images, and memory pegs are fantastic tools for learning. These resources focus on harder-to-learn facts, making them much easier and more fun! For our kiddos who aren’t really into math but love stories, these number stories have been a game-changer in learning math facts.

In the classroom, these short math stories are a great way to kick off a math lesson, serve as a fun and educational brain break, or productively fill a few extra minutes. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your entire class could master their multiplication facts? Out of all the resources I’ve used, this one is the most likely to make that happen. Plus, it’s super fun too!

2.  Legos and Multiplication

What if I told you those legos that you keep stepping on could enhance your kiddos’ learning? Legos create a hands-on activity that reinforces multiplication facts. It’s a fantastic way to build a deeper understanding of the concept of multiplication. I firmly believe that just knowing multiplication facts isn’t enough. Kids need to grasp the concept of using multiplication to “add” equal groups, and Legos are perfect for this!

One of my favorite ways to use Legos in the classroom is to introduce the concept of an array. An array is a visual representation of multiplication using columns and rows. I love using Legos for this because they make this concept tangible for my students.

To incorporate this into our learning, we play a game called Grab and Go! Each student grabs a handful of Legos and examines the pegs to find a multiplication problem. For instance, if a student grabs a piece with three rows and four columns of pegs, they can see the multiplication problem 3 x 4 right there.

To take it a step further, I have them draw their Lego piece and write the corresponding number sentence in their math journals or on a recording page. This helps solidify the connection between the physical Legos and the abstract multiplication facts. Then, they can trade Legos with a neighbor or grab a new set and repeat the process.

This activity turns a potentially dry topic into an interactive and enjoyable learning experience. By using Legos, our students get to build and visualize multiplication. This helps to make the concept much more accessible and memorable. Plus, it’s a great way to mix up our routine and keep everyone excited about math!

3. Multiplication Mystery Pictures

Self-Checking Digtal Activities

One of my students’ favorite multiplication practice activities is digital mystery pictures. These activities provide them with LOTS of multiplication fact practice but you won’t hear a single complaint. Instead, students are so engrosed in watching the picture reveal itself that they stay focused and engaged through the entire activity.

These no prep activities are so easy to use! Simply assign the Google Sheets activities to your students and let them work on a computer or tablet to complete it. The activity was built with self-checking included so that students get immediate feedback on their answers. If they answer correctly, the problem turns green and a few pixels of the mystery picture reveal themselves. If the answer is incorrect, it turns red signaling the student to try again.

Kids of all ages love these mystery picture activities. Whether your students are just learning their multiplication facts or working on fluency, this activity is a must!

Printable Hidden Pictures

These hidden picture activities are similar to the digital mystery pictures but in paper form instead of digital. Each editable worksheet features a grid where you can insert your own multiplication problems. Designed to help you edit the picture as quickly as possible, these hidden picture pages are perfect for math fact practice.

As students solve each problem correctly, they color in a section of the picture according to a color code. It’s a wonderful way to combine art and math. Students love seeing the hidden picture come to life with each correct answer. I love that these activities are self-grading, which helps my students see an area they may have made a mistake!

In my classroom, I use these activities in several ways. They make excellent math centers where students can work independently or in small groups. I also use them as early finisher tasks. My students who complete their work ahead of time can grab a mystery picture or hidden picture sheet and get right to work. It’s a fun and productive way to keep everyone engaged and learning.

4. Math Craftivity

I need to tell you upfront that I haven’t tried this activity yet, but I absolutely love the idea and the visual pattern it creates. I’m talking about Patterned Multiplication Circles by Lemon Lime Adventures. This activity takes the concept of multiplication and turns it into a stunning visual representation that your kids can really get excited about.

Here’s how these Patterned Multiplication Circles work. Students use a circular grid to draw lines connecting numbers in a sequence based on multiplication tables. For example, if they’re working on the 3 times table, they’ll start at 0 and draw a line to 3, then from 3 to 6, and so on, until they create a geometric pattern. This visual and hands-on approach helps them to see the relationships between numbers in a whole new way.

What I love about this idea is that it combines math with art, making it perfect for our students who might be more creatively inclined. It’s a fantastic way to reinforce multiplication facts while also encouraging them to explore patterns and symmetry. Plus, it’s just plain fun to see the intricate designs they can create!

If you’re looking for a unique and engaging way to teach multiplication, I highly recommend checking out Patterned Multiplication Circles by Lemon Lime Adventures. It’s a great way to make math visually appealing and memorable for our students. You can find out more about it and get all the details on how to do this activity by visiting Lemon Lime Adventures. I’m excited to give it a try in my own classroom and see the amazing patterns my students come up with!

5. Math Fact Drills

Math facts are one of those areas where I still believe in the good old drill style. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that kids must understand the concept of multiplication. When it comes to quickly learning the facts, there’s no better way than to drill them over and over. That’s why I love using Xtra Math to practice our math facts. 

This free online program is perfect for developing math fact fluency. It’s not just for multiplication but also covers addition, subtraction, and division. Xtra Math tracks each of your student’s progress and lets them advance at their own pace. In just about 10 minutes a day, your students can work on developing their math fact fluency in a fun and efficient way!

The program includes a 10 minute session each day for consistency. Each session includes one progress quiz and two practice activities. One of my students’ favorite parts is the “Race the Teacher” section, where they try to beat the clock and the virtual teacher by answering as many facts correctly as possible. They also love the page that shows how many facts they got correct in a row. It’s such a great motivator!

It’s a great tool to incorporate into your daily math routine. It provides a structured, yet engaging, way for students to master their math facts. If you’re looking for a reliable and effective method to boost your students’ math fluency, Xtra Math is definitely worth trying out!

Multiplication Can Be Fun

I hope you’ve found some great ideas for making multiplication fun and exciting. By using various methods, from hands-on activities with Legos to engaging digital mystery pictures and interactive games, we can keep our learners active and enthusiastic about math. Remember, the key is to mix things up and find what works best for each student. Whether it’s through playful stories, visual patterns, or friendly competition, these strategies will help your students not only master their multiplication facts but also enjoy the journey. Let’s make math a subject they love and look forward to every day!

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