Learning math facts – that is, quick recollection of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts, but usually referring to the “multiplication tables” – is essential to learning and becoming more efficient with more sophisticated math concepts, such as long division. Some children are able to easily memorize the facts with very little practice, while this process comes less naturally to others. Here are a few math facts practice activities that are more hands-on or address different learning styles:

• Use Montessori bead bars for practice. To practice the multiplication table of 4, for example, have the child set out a 4 bead bar, then lay out two 4 bead bars, then 3, and so on in a row or column. Have the child look at the bead bars, count them if need be, say the equation out loud (“1 times 4 is 4”), and then write the equation on a slip of paper and place it under each small group of bead bars. Note that if you have just one set of bead bars, the child will only be able to set out up through 5 (5×4) before running out of bars. But that’s OK, just reset and keep going!

Using bead bars for math facts practice

• Work on a *multiplication chart. The chart shows the relationship between multiples of a number in another way. Print out the chart and have the child work on writing the answers to each of the multiplication problems, beginning in the upper left corner (one number from the blue row times one number from the red column. Using her fingers, have the child move down and over and where the row and column meet, enter the answer). Once completed, the child can use her finished chart as a resource glued into his math notebook.
• Sing songs. There are many different varieties of putting multiplication tables to tunes. Some of my personal favorites, the Schoolhouse Rock series, not only practice singing the tables, but offer other little tips to help remember.

These are just a few suggestions for practice. Have you found another method that works well to help your students that struggle with learning math facts?

*Printing note: it is recommended that you download the file and open it in Adobe Reader before printing. If you print directly from your browser, you may have slight white lines print in the blue row and red column.