Maths Hacks for Learning Multiplication Facts – Part 1
Does your child know their multiplication facts? Is it one of those things that they struggle with? Over the next couple of weeks I want to share with you some of my favourite ways of remembering multiplication facts.
When I was at school the facts were learnt by rote. We wrote them out over and over and chanted them. That is one method that does work for many people, but sometimes there are those facts that are just elusive and you need another way to remember them. This week I want to share some of my favourite rhymes with you. Rhymes can be a really memorable way of learning, especially if you make them fun.
I find rhymes most useful for the 6, 7, and 8 times tables because those are the ones that most people find more challenging or forget.
This little video has one of my favourite maths hacks for remembering 7 x 8 = 56
Here are some more little rhymes:
6×7 = 42
Six and seven live in a shoe, it must be size forty-two
6 x 8 = 48
Six and Eight are running late, six times eight is forty eight
At GCSE students are expected to know the square numbers up to 15 squared. With the 6,7 and 8 times tables being the hardest to remember I look for ways of remembering them.
6×6 = 36
Six and Six pick up sticks, six times six is 36
7 x 7 = 49
At 7am I rise and shine, Seven sevens are forty-nine
8 x 8 = 64
I ate and I ate and I was sick on the floor. Eight eights are sixty four.
My favourite is definitely the one for learning seven times eight, which is a fact that is often forgotten! If you have any more tips that you use, I’d love to hear them in Education Support 4 Parents
Another resource which is great for learning the multiplication facts is the Tarquin multiplication colouring books. I absolutely love these colouring books, you colour in the times tables (for some in the specified colour) and you get a picture. 16 puzzles for £3.99
Remember too, that you only need to learn half the times tables! Multiplication is what we call ‘commutative’ which means that you can switch it around and get the same answer. Every time your child can’t remember a multiplication fact see if they know it if it’s the other way around.
Look at some other methods for learning the multiplication facts including patterns here.