Worried Your Child Has Not Memorized the Multiplication Tables

The Truth about Memorization and Automaticity

When was the last time you recited the multiplication tables? If you are like most adults, it has been awhile. You still need to know how to multiply, even if you occasionally forget that 6 x 7= 42. Children must learn to multiply quickly and accurately, usually starting at the end of second grade. Educators, however, are realizing that more emphasis should be placed on multiplication fluency than rote memorization.

Quickly answering simple multiplication problems, or “automaticity with math facts” is useful. Automaticity frees up brain power to devote to higher order thinking. Having automaticity with multiplication is like knowing the route when driving. When you drive somewhere every day, you can listen to the radio or have a conversation because your brain has less to process. When you are driving in unfamiliar territory, however, you probably stop talking and turn off the radio so you can concentrate. Rote memorization can help with automaticity, but it has limitations.

1. People quickly forget things they don’t practice. People generally stop practicing their times tables in 3^rd or 4^th grade, particularly if their school allows them to use calculators for math.
2. It is not practical to memorize the times tables beyond a certain point. Where should the memorization stop? 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 139 x 15? Jon McLoone explores this idea more.

More importantly, memorization without true understanding and fluency will NOT help students tackle more advanced math topics.

What is Multiplication Fluency?

Multiplication fluency is understanding the relationships of one multiplication fact to another and being able to apply that knowledge. Students with multiplication fluency who forget, or never memorize 19 x 19, will still be able to figure it out. They might think 20 x 20 = 400 so 20 x 19 = 380 so 19 x 19 = 361. Students with multiplication fluency are freed to think beyond algorithms and find creative solutions.  Like numerical fluency children attain multiplication fluency by practicing and understanding multiplication in a variety of ways. Often the process of attaining multiplication fluency leads to memorization too, but in a much less stressful and more enjoyable way than flashcards or timed tests!

Multiplication Fluency at Mathnasium of Parker

Our multiplication fluency program is designed to help students learn how to multiply easily and quickly. You will be amazed at how your child’s confidence soars after our course in multiplication fluency. Call 303-840-1184 to learn more.

This article was written by and owned by Cuttlefish Copywriting, www.cuttlefishcopywriting.com. It is copyright protected.  Mathnasium of Parker has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should contact Heather at [email protected] before using it.