Engaging Strategies to teach Multiplication Facts for your 4th Grader.

Multiplication facts can feel like a mountain to climb for many 4th graders. Yet, mastering these facts is essential for building confidence and success in math. The good news is that learning multiplication doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right approach, it can become an exciting adventure that your child looks forward to every day. This post shares practical, fun, and effective ways to help your 4th grader learn multiplication facts with ease.

Use the Game "Monster Math" on Mathplayground.com

This is a extremely cute online game and you can choose what fact you want to work on.

Here's the progression:

• Times 2's

These are my top picks to begin with. Why? Because children are already familiar with doubles addition in the early elementary grades. They get really excited when you explain to them that if they can add doubles, they're essentially multiplying by 2!

• Times 5's

  Many younger students are able to count by 5's. This ability is introduced at an early stage, making multiplication by 5 an excellent skill to learn following the mastery of the 2's.

  
  

• Times 9's

It might seem odd to jump straight to the 9's, but they have an amazing trick that helps kids easily master them and boosts their confidence! The trick for the 9's is demonstrated with an example, like 9 x 8. I ask, what is one less than 8? The answer is 7. Then I ask, what can I add to 7 to make 9? The answer is 2. So, the final answer is that 9 x 8 = 72.

• Times 4's

  
  

Now students get to practice what they learned with the times 2's. Doubles. But they get to double once more. So it's a double double fact (think of a double double cheeseburger).

• Times 8's

Since we know how to do double double with the 4's, it's easy to do double double double! For example 8 x 6... Double the 6 = 12. Double the 12 = 24. Double the 24 = 48.

• Times 3's

With the 3's we are going to double, then add 1 more of that number. For example 3x7... you double the 7=14. And then add ONE more 7 = 21. This will take some practice as it is not as quick as some of our other facts.

• 6's and 7's

Alright, we're almost at the finish line! Yes!!! When we reach the 6's and 7's, just use the tricks you've learned for the other facts. What remains are a few exceptions... 6x6. Well, 6x6=36, and it sort of rhymes. 6x7 = 42. Here's a little story to help remember this one: 6 and 7 went on a date and got a table for two, 42!!! And lastly, 7x7=49. I say 7 and 7 aren't fine, 7 and 7 are 49!

We memorized our Times Tables!

Brief summary: Begin with the game Monster Math on Mathplayground.com. Start with the x2's and continue playing the game. Work through each fact mentioned above, concluding with the 6's and 7's. In a very short time, your child will have mastered their multiplication facts!