Hello there, my teachybloggy friends! I have something new to share this evening that I really hope you can use in your own classrooms.We have done extensive work with multiplication facts using charts this year. We have identified patterns, located facts we already know, highlighted the chart for ease of use, everything I could think of. It was going so well until...
We began multi-digit multiplication problems.
To backtrack a bit: all of my ELL students are doing pretty well on their basic multiplication facts Some of them know all of their facts...but others are still acquiring those difficult-to-remember ones. We do math minutes and play games to help memorize the facts, but we still need the charts.
Especially with the multi-digit problems. This past week, we've been working on the lattice method of multiplication (do you use this? I love it and so do my students!). I've noticed that some of my students are so focused on trying to solve these more complex problems they are now completely confusing themselves on their charts.
I've been watching how they utilize our current chart closely (it's just a typical chart on white paper from our math series). They always start in the top column and work their way down. But they are losing their place with their finger as they try to line up the second factor and find the product.
And they've now resorted to drawing light pencil lines. But now their charts have zillions of messy lines that are becoming distracting.
So I decided to make this color-coded chart to help them track their place with more ease. I made the colors switch vertically, since that is where most of my students start out when using the chart. I'm going to place them in a sheet protector, or maybe laminate them (my little laminator is crying because I haven't used it in an age!!). I thought that would take care of the pencil marks and hopefully make it easier to see the product in the end. I know it will use a bit of ink, but I hardly ever print out colored worksheets for my guys, so I don't mind.
If you would like to download this file, you can find a direct link to it in the graphic below...it is free in my Teacher's Notebook Shop...
What kinds of things do you do for those students who struggle with acquiring multiplication facts? This is a problem I face every year and I would love to learn from your expertise!
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This looks fabulous, Kristen! :) It makes me wish I still taught math! I'm definitely going to download it anyway and tuck it into a "someday file". Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love that it's color coded! It helps seeing the different rows! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe color coding is perfect!
ReplyDeleteYearn to Learn Blog
I love the color choices :)
ReplyDeleteA Cupcake for the Teacher
Seeing as how I teach first grade, you kind of lost me at "extensive work with multiplication facts". :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteA Teeny Tiny Teacher
Sweet facts from SWEET Kristen!
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW I'm going to run and get this since the sixers don't know their facts YET! At least they'll be looking at something pretty while they practice!
Thanks, BlogFriend!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Very cute, love the color-coding!! It definitely makes it easier to see. I do the same thing as you; we go over patterns, highlight what we know, etc. It's now weaning time for my kids and some are taking it pretty hard! We play one or two fact practice games per day, take daily 1-minute tests (and write missed facts 10 times each) and work A LOT with arrays so students are able to see the products. The fact practice games in my TN store are what I use in my room for fact practice (I promise I am not marketing myself!!). I also bought Laura Candler's Mastering Math Facts book and use her activities and format for working toward mastery. Thanks for the awesome freebie--love your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you should hop over to my blog and read my latest post--you might be interested to see what it says!!!
I just wrote you an email and a comment--I am so PSYCHED!! Thanks for all of your advice and I would never think you are marketing yourself so no worries. I will check out everything you mentioned. Thanks again Janaye!
DeleteThanks for sharing this! ALL of my middle school kids, including my advanced Algebra kids, need multiplication practice. I am going to print a few of these and laminate and have them available for students to use in class. So cute! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete☼Kate
To The Square Inch
I have some kids with the same problem (pencil lines and all). Thanks for thinking of this and sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can't use this with my firsties, but wanted to tell you that the colors and the cupcakes are FABULOUS!!! If I taught higher grades, I would SOO use this! :)
ReplyDeleteღDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
I am convinced that saying the facts helps the students to put them away in their long-term memory bank. It takes time and practice, like anything worthwhile. The extra effort is worth it!!!! That being said there is no extra time built in for math facts in any curriculum I've seen. I am a parent volunteer and former teacher and have decided to jump in at my son's school to practice with the 3rd graders. They will be earning parts of a paper banana split for each set of facts memorized until the banana split is complete with whipped cream, cherries and a spoon. Once this is done the kids earn a real ice cream treat! Also, I will post these paper treats on the wall so there might be a little peer motivation. To test the kids, I will grill them with facts until each student can say them without thinking. Be sure to include the easy facts so everyone will have a little confidence going in. I did this when i taught 3rd grade and it worked very well.
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