The drill and kill of multiplication facts can get old very quickly for students.  Especially those that struggle memorizing them.  Adding games into your math block will not only excite them, but provide great learning opportunities.   Here is a list of 5 multiplication games that are super easy to implement and require very little prep.  A win for both the teacher and the students! Games with Dominoes Ordering Products Students choose five dominoes, turn them over, and multiply each side together.   Order the products from least to greatest or greatest to least. Want to make it a game?  Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest number and least number.  The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins. Multiplication War Students begin with dominoes face down.   Each student chooses a domino. On the count of three, students turn over their domino and multip......

When I was in school the only way we reviewed math facts was with flash cards. I dreaded sitting in class waiting to be called on. Now, I am not saying throw your flash cards in the trash…but I am saying that there are other ways to review. Here are some ways to get your class motivated about multiplication: Get Hands-On I have found that kids enjoy working with their hands. This is a win-win because hands-on lessons keep them engaged and help make abstract concepts more concrete. One activity that I like to do with kids is called Guess My Multiplication Sentence.   I pair students up and call out a product, such as 12. One student makes an array with manipulatives and the other student has to guess the multiplication sentence that matches the array. Then as a whole class, we record all the different multiplication sentences that were created. Play Games This is a BIG one. Games are a great way to get kids to review multiplication facts. Espec......

I love finding common items around the house and making games with them.  I recently came across a tin of dominoes and put those babies to work!  My students LOVE the idea of playing with dominoes even if they are sharpening their math skills while doing so! These games can be played alone or with partners.  Partners tend to make them even more fun! Ordering Products Students choose five dominoes, turn them over, and multiply each side together.   Order the products from least to greatest or greatest to least. Want to make it a game?  Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest number and least number.  The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins. Multiplication War Students begin with dominoes face down.   Each student chooses a domino. On the count of three, students turn over their domino and multiply the dots on one side by the dots on the other side.  The student with th......

I am always looking for something to read.  I don't always get to it, but I have a lot to choose from come summer.  This week, I've compiled some of our most favorite and popular posts.  Each post provides a teaching tip, idea, inspiration, or all of the above. 10 Ways to Practice Multiplication Facts   From Teaching With Simplicity Let's be honest, practicing multiplication facts can be a bore and a chore.  You may want to try these:   Pick-a-Card, Number Draw, Multiplication Pyramid.  Sound interesting?   Read more here... Math Perseverance From Teacher Studio How do you get your students to persevere in Math?  Give them problems that are challenging, but provide them with tools to be successful.   Read more here... How to Teach the Standards through Social Studies Inquiry Circles From One Stop Teacher Shop What are inquiry circles?  They are a lot like research projects, but they begin differently.  ......