Hold a dry-erase race.
It's a fact: memorizing the times tables is a must. But getting your students to practice their math facts is often easier said than done. You can drill them with timed tests, but too many paper drills can leave some students feeling pressured and stressed. Instead, try some creative activities that will motivate your students to learn.
Dry-Erase Races
Divide the class into two or more teams (or just use rows) and have dry-erase races. Ask one person from each team or row to come up to the dry-erase board. Then, say a multiplication problem (or use a flashcard). The first student that uncaps the pen, writes a complete math sentence with the correct answer, recaps the pen and puts it down, wins a point for their team. Continue until everyone has had a chance to compete for their team.
Multiplication Bingo
Ask each student to fold a blank piece of paper (printer paper is fine) in half four times, then open it back up. Once opened, the paper should have 16 squares as delineated by the fold lines. Then have the students fill in the squares with numbers that are multiples of whatever multiplication facts you are working on. For example, if you are working on 2s and 5s, the students may write 10, 25, 40, and so on. You might need to write the numbers on the board for younger students, but remind them to fill in the squares randomly. Shuffle some multiplication flashcards (sort them ahead of time so they are only the facts you are working on) and hold them up, one at a time. Hold each one up for about five seconds, then set it aside. The students should solve the problem and cross off the answer if they have it written down in one of their squares. The first person to get four crossed off in a row wins. Use the set aside cards to check to make sure the student does indeed have a "Bingo." This game can be played with no talking.
Multiplication Baseball
Create a bulletin board that encourages your students to get through those timed multiplication drills. Decorate a bulletin board to look like a baseball field and write each student's name on a baseball. Designate first base facts 0-3, second base as multiplication facts 4 and 5, third base as facts 6 and 7, and home plate is for facts 8 and 9. As soon as a child masters his multiplication facts as evidenced by mastery of the timed drill, move the baseball with his name on it to the corresponding base. Once the students get "home," they no longer have to do the drills. You can also hand out small prizes each time a student moves to a new base.
Tags: multiplication facts, your students, base facts, bulletin board, each student, facts working