Learning multiplication facts requires practice.
Math skills improve with practice. Unfortunately, most kids don't enjoy doing worksheet after worksheet of math problems. That's where games can play an important role. Kids can have fun playing games while getting in needed practice. Two-digit multiplication games, for example, help kids review multiplication facts and the steps necessary to solve multistep problems.
Guesstimator
This games helps students develop their number sense as well as their two-digit multiplication skills. Divide the class into teams (with smaller groups students can play individually) of three or four students. Write a two-digit multiplication problem on the board, such as 36 x 47. Give teams one minute to confer and come up with a guesstimate of the answer to the problem. Have each team write their guesstimate on the board. Then solve the problem together as a class. The team with the best "guesstimate gets one point. You can play as many rounds as you'd like, or say that the team that gets five points first is the winner.
Multiplication Baseball
This game can be used with other types of math problems as well. Divide the class into two teams. Each team takes a turn at bat. The first player of the first team is asked a two-digit multiplication problem. If the player solves it correctly (you can have them solve it on the board or on their own papers), his team gets a home run. If she is incorrect, the team in the outfield tries to solve it. If the outfield team is correct, it counts as an out. Just like in baseball, when the team at bat has three outs, the outfield team comes up to bat and their roles are reversed. Usually one inning is long enough for each session, but you can save the points for each inning until you have played nine innings and then declare the team with the most total points the winner. The Prongo website has an online version of Multiplication Baseball. Make sure students choose the "home run" option to practice two-digit by two-digit multiplication.
Soccer Shootout
This online activity allow students to practice multiplication at several levels: easy (one digit by one digit), medium (two digit by two digit) and hard (three digit by three digit). Students must answer problems to make a kick at the goal. If they answer the first question incorrectly, their kick is blocked. If they answer correctly, their kick is good and they earn a point. The next question allows them to block the opposing team's kick if they answer correctly. If they do not, then the opposing team's kick is good and that team earns a point.
Tags: they answer, answer correctly, class into, class into teams, digit digit