I have tutored students of all ages, including adults trying to enter the military. Passing the ASVAB exam is a requirement to join all branches of service. Two parts of the test are math, and I have worked with many potential recruits who struggle with basic multiplication. Unfortunately, calculators are not allowed when taking the test. Seeing people over eighteen still struggling with these essential math concepts has inspired me to have my younger math students become proficient with their basic facts to gain confidence in their ability to learn more complex math concepts. Multiplication, in particular, is supposed to be mastered by the end of third grade and is not taught or reviewed in most fourth-grade classrooms.
So why learn math facts?
- Automaticity allows you to see the numbers in your head, leading to less mental energy used.
- It allows you to manipulate numbers more easily.
- Decreases the probability of making errors in calculations.
So how can you help your child engagingly learn their multiplication fact?
Many wonderful websites make this process fun for children. One that I’ve used is Math Magician. You pick the type of operation you want to focus on and then refine the parameters you will use. For example, I have several students entering 4th grade, and I want to ensure they have their multiplication/division facts mastered. So, I will pick a number they have not learned or one hundred mixed facts. The site provides a timer based on the test that is being taken. If they complete it in the allotted time, they receive a certificate with the percentage that they correctly answered. The students really enjoy it.
Here are some websites that I have found to be useful:
https://mathmagicianteaching.com/mathmagician/
https://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/maths/timestable/index.html
https://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games
https://www.mathplayground.com/
Make a goal of so many minutes daily to work on facts, such as 20 minutes. This short amount of time invested will make all the difference in long-term math skills.