Multiplication facts "headache"

One of my least favorite parts of teaching upper grades are multiplication tables.  SO much of what I teach in math is dependent upon the fact that my students are fluent in multiplication.  If, for example, they don't know what 3 times 4 is, it is really hard to ask them to find Least Common Multiples or Greatest Common Factors.  Finding the percent of a fraction, division in general are all really, really hard if you are struggling with your multiplication facts.

So what to do?  
Since time is something we're lacking in class, I've included some fun ways the kids can practice their facts at home:


1.  Use the traditional flash cards to play a game of Sparkle, multiplication style.
2.  Students roll two dice, then multiply the 2 numbers they rolled together.
3.  Create a memory game–one card contains the factors, the other contains the product.
4.  Dominoes-students draw a domino that is face down.  They multiply the dots on either side of the domino together.
5.  Number Draw-no materials needed except your fingers!  P
6.  Play Ask-n-Switch which is a whole class game using flash cards.
7.  Multiplication War with a deck of cards.  Students each draw two cards, then multiply them together.  The student with the largest product wins the round.  (this was part of our Math Centers).
8.  Multiples pyramid-students practice writing the first 12 multiples (or amount of your choice) for a given number.

multiples pyramid

Have fun practicing your facts!

Miss Lopez