Summary
Multiplication fact practice ideas and resources.
Use a combination of online multiplication fact practice, games, and printables to help students learn their facts. By the end of 3rd grade, students are expected to be fluent with their facts to 100. This is a challenging task, and providing many opportunities to help students learn their facts is essential.
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➕Includes definitions, lesson ideas, mindset surveys for students and teachers, and printable posters.
🧠💪Research shows a link between a growth mindset and math success. Kids with a growth mindset about their abilities perform better and are more engaged in the classroom.
👉Includes everything you need to start cultivating a more positive math classroom and students who love math. Download and get started today! Click here to download the Mindset Guide & Survey.
This past school year, I worked in a fourth-grade classroom, and I realized how essential it is for students to learn their multiplication facts by the end of third grade. Fourth-grade math is tricky if students do not know their math facts. I devised a combination of games, Google Slides, and puzzles to help students practice their multiplication facts.
The Meaning of Multiplication
Starting in 3rd grade, students learn about the concept of multiplication and begin to solve problems using multiplication with concrete materials.
3.OA.A.1 Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g. interpret 5 X 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 X 7.
Students develop an initial understanding of the multiplication of whole numbers by modeling situations and understanding the meaning of the numbers (factors) and total (product).
The symbol X means groups of (or times).
Teachers should provide students with various multiplication situations to model using concrete materials. Ask students to identify the number of groups, the number of items in each group, and the total number of items. Next, introduce students to numerical representations by writing equations representing their models.
Check out this Repeated Addition to Multiplication Resource.
Multiplication Facts to 100
Students begin by modeling multiplication and division situations using concrete models, pictorial representations, and number lines. They solve various multiplication and division problems focusing on the meaning of numbers in the situation and identifying what they know (number of groups, number of items in a group, or total number) and use that information to figure out that they do not know.
They progress to writing equations for those situations. This all leads to fluently multiplying and dividing within 100.
Grade 3 Multiplication
3.OA.C.7 Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.
Grade 4 Multiplication
4.NBT.B.5 Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations.
This standard extends the Grade 3 standard of fluently multiplying within 100.
Multiplication Strategies
Here is a list of strategies that students may use to become fluent with these facts:
- Doubling (multiplication by 2)
- Multiplying by one (identify property)
- Multiplying by five (counting by 5, counting nickels)
- Multiplying by ten (counting by 10, counting dimes)
- Doubling Doubles (multiplication by 4)
- Square numbers (2 X 2, 3X3)
- Composing and decomposing factors to use known facts (distributive property)
- Commutative Property (2 X4 is the same as 4X2)
- Multiplying by nine as related to multiplication by ten
- Fact Families
- Finding missing factors
The development of conceptual understanding must precede drill and practice exercises. Students who struggle with facts need more experience with concrete and pictorial representations, including describing what their models represent to make connections to basic facts.
They need time and experience developing strategies based on patterns and properties to help support learning their facts. Giving students time to learn and understand these concepts is important before procedural skill practice takes place.
Quick Multiplication Facts Practice Ideas
Teachers must ensure students have many opportunities to work with the different facts using different contexts. For example, problem solving, using concrete materials, and pictorial representations.
Once students understand the basic facts, they begin to develop strategies for learning their facts. Then, they develop fluency with their basic facts.
Multiplication Practice Facts
Skip counting is a great way to develop fluency with multiplication facts. Have students sit around a circle and practice skip counting. Find a fun skip counting game called Bizz Buzz in my…What is an Example of Skip Counting and Guaranteed Effective Ways to Refine This Skill?
Online Multiplication Fact Practice
Using the 24 Game is another fun way to practice multiplication facts. A subscription to First in Math is another great way to support students in learning their math facts.
My other favorite game is on ABCya.org, called Bingo.
Free Multiplication Fact Practice
Arrays Project
Use this Arrays Project with students to help them see the connection between repeated addition and multiplication. Students build multiplication arrays with tiles and then color on the multiplication with arrays worksheets.
You can have students roll dice to determine their factors or allow students to pick their factors for the multiplication problems using arrays.
Have students build the arrays with tiles, color the array on the multiplication arrays worksheet, and write the repeated addition and multiplication problem. Cut and glue onto a large piece of paper and color in the background to create a Monster World. Click here to check out the Arrays Project.
Multiplication Games for 3rd Grade
Multiplication Challenge
Number of Players – 2+ (ideally 3-5 students)
Remove the Joker, King, Queen, and Jack.
For a Challenge: Do not remove the Joker, Jack, Queen, and King from the deck. Instead, assign the following values to them: Joker = 14 King = 13 Queen = 12 Jack = 11
Players place cards face down in a pile.
Each kid turns over two cards and multiplies their cards together. Whoever has the highest product wins both sets of cards. The winner has the most cards at the end.
Multiplication Fact Flip
Number of Players – 2+
This game is an excellent way to practice simple multiplication facts! Begin by removing all the face cards, Jokers, and Aces so that only the numbered cards 2-10 are left. Next, divide the deck evenly among all players. Choose a target number and write it on a piece of paper nearby or on a whiteboard. This target number is the number that will be multiplied by each card that students flip.
For example, let’s suppose the target number is 6. Each student will flip over one card from their deck. They will flip a card and multiply that number by 6. Whoever has the largest product takes all the cards. If a player says the wrong product, the other player can make the correction and take the cards.
You could easily set a round limit on this game, and whoever has the most cards after a specific number of rounds wins. Or the game can end when one player runs out of cards.
Interactive Multiplication Fact Practice
Multiplication Practice 3rd Grade Pixel Art
Students solve the multiplication fact problem and enter the answer into the box. If the answer is correct, the image fills in, and the picture reveals itself.
These are more engaging than a worksheet, self-checking, and a fun way to practice multiplication facts. Perfect for warm-ups, whole groups, small groups, or independent practice, it is ready to use as soon as you download the file. Click here to try out a Holiday Multiplication Pixel.
Multiplication Practice Facts Slides
Use these 20 Multiplication Practice Facts Google Slides. Two different formats to practice multiplication facts 1 to 10: fill in the product and drag & drop the product.
These are more engaging than a multiplication worksheet, and students can complete them multiple times for practice. Click here to try out Multiplication Practice Facts Google Slides.
grade-3-multiplication by Andrea ByrneMultiplication Puzzle Practice
These multiplication puzzles can be as an online multiplication fact practice with Google Slides or printed and used in a plastic sleeve at a center, or printed as a worksheet.
Printable Multiplication Puzzle
Are you looking for multiplication practice sheets for 3rd grade? Here are 14 slides and 14 worksheets to practice basic multiplication facts. Students calculate the product and then find the letter that correlates to the product. A secret message or joke is revealed if the student correctly solves the multiplication facts.
These slides progressively get more complex. Practice math facts multiplication with these ready-made interactive slides that can be used as soon as you download the file. Click here to check out Slides and Multiplication Practice Sheets.
Multiplication Puzzle Worksheet
Here are 15 slides and worksheets to practice grade 3 multiplication. Are you looking for multiplication practice sheets for 3rd grade? These 15 slides and worksheets practice basic multiplication facts.
Students calculate the product and then find the letter that correlates to the product. A secret message or joke is revealed if the student correctly solves the multiplication facts. These slides progressively get more difficult. Click here to check out these Multiplication Puzzles.
Additional Multiplication Resources
- How to Successfully and Easily Teach Word Problems in Multiplication and Division
- What is an Example of Skip Counting and Guaranteed Effective Ways to Refine This Skill?
- How to Use Engaging Math Puzzles for Fun to Build Number Sense
Multiplication Practice Ideas
Using a variety of different ways to practice multiplication facts keeps students engaged. Some students prefer games, while others prefer printable puzzles to help them learn their multiplication facts. Using games and puzzles cultivates a positive mindset in the math classroom and students who love math.
☀Download this BONUS Guide with everything you need to create a growth mindset classroom and positive classroom community.
➕Includes definitions, lesson ideas, mindset surveys for students and teachers, and printable posters.
🧠💪Research shows a link between a growth mindset and math success. Kids with a growth mindset about their abilities perform better and are more engaged in the classroom.
👉Includes everything you need to start cultivating a more positive math classroom and students who love math. Download and get started today! Click here to download the Mindset Guide & Survey.
Try out some of these online multiplication fact practice ideas and printable games to help students become fluent with their facts.
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