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

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!

My kiddos absolutely love playing games during math time. Any time I can take a skill and turn it into a game, I do because their engagement and learning skyrockets. It’s a fun and easy way to help kids learn while still letting them be kids.

One of our favorite games to play is an Uno-style math game. It’s such a hit in our classroom. My kiddos look forward to it every time it comes up for math centers or lessons. This game is also a fantastic way to reinforce multiplication skills. It’s perfect for a math center or as a fun activity for early finishers in the classroom.

The best part? You can grab this game for free! It’s a great addition to any learning routine, bringing a blend of excitement and education that your students absolutely love.

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 works. 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!

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!

6. Multiplication Mystery Pictures and Hidden Pictures 

My digital mystery pictures and hidden pictures resources are a couple more of my favorite resources for making multiplication practice fun and engaging. These activities are a hit with my students and really help to reinforce their math skills enjoyably.

Let’s first take a look at my multiplication digital mystery pictures. I use these with my students to turn multiplication practice into a fun and exciting activity. Students solve multiplication problems, and as they enter the correct answers, parts of a hidden picture are revealed. This not only motivates my students to get the answers right but also keeps them engaged as they work to uncover the entire picture. They’re perfect for use on tablets or computers, making them a great addition to our tech-savvy classroom.

Now, if you prefer something a bit more hands-on, hidden pictures are another fun option. These are similar to the digital mystery pictures but in paper form. Each worksheet features a grid where you can insert your own multiplication problems. 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.

Help Your Students Master Their Multiplication Skills