In the time I've been tutoring, one of the most common things that prevents success in math is not knowing math facts, for example: 4 x 5 = 20. I even had a university freshman who didn't know her times tables. She had always used a calculator, or just not done it at all. She was finding out, though, that knowing those times tables would make her life a lot easier, and make her homework at the university level take up much less of her time, not to mention her grades would improve.
These days math facts are being taught as "fact families" so in the above example 4, 5, and 20 are all in the same fact family. You could have 4 x 5 = 20, 5 x 4 = 20, 20/4 = 5 and 20/5 = 4. The relationship is the focus. Today I thought I'd share a few games that make learning these math facts a little bit more engaging than straight memorization (although that works too).
Set specific goals to learn math facts, such as "This week I will learn the 4 times tables up to 12." Then work on those specific fact families. Being specific is much more effective than just saying, "I'm going to learn my times tables."
Rock Paper Add (or Rock Paper Multiply) Two players
Tap your fist on your hand like you were playing Rock Paper Scissors, but on the third tap both players hold out a certain number of fingers. The players add (or multiply) the numbers and shout out the answer. The player who gets it right first wins that round. Note: When learning facts for 1-5 just hold out fingers on one hand, when learning facts for 1-10 hold out fingers on both hands on the third tap.
Tic Tac Multiply (or Tic Tac Add) Two players
Draw a grid with two vertical lines and two horizontal lines and write a single-digit number in one box. Each player in turn puts a number in an adjacent box and multiplies (or adds) the two numbers together writing the answer in the next box in line. Fill in the grid with fact families.
Small Number Dice Two or more players or teams
For facts less than 6 x 6 (or 6 + 6), use two dice.
Each player (or team) rolls one die. Both players multiply (or add) the numbers and shout out the answer. Whoever gets the right answer first wins. You could also keep score... The person who got the right answer first writes down the number. Play 10 rounds and then add up the numbers.
Big Number Dice
For numbers up to 12 x 12 (or 12 + 12) use four dice. When using 4, it is easiest if you have two different colors. Each player (or team) rolls two dice. Add the numbers on the dice of the same color, then multiply the sums. For example: The red team rolls a 6 and a 4, the yellow team rolls a 3 and a 1. Add the red team's numbers 6+4=10, add the yellow team's numbers 3+1=4. Then multiply the red times the yellow, 10 x 4 = 40. The team who gets the right answer first writes down the number. Play 10 rounds and then add the numbers. Whichever team has the highest score wins.
Subtraction with Dice
Dice can also be used for subtraction games. Use three dice, two of one color and one of another color. Add the numbers rolled on the two same-colored dice and subtract the number of the other colored one. For example: You have two purple and one blue dice. The purple rolled a 4 and 6. The blue rolled a 3. Add the purple numbers, 4 + 6= 10, then from that number, subtract the number rolled on the blue 10 - 3 = 7.
Skip Counting Songs
Singing is a great way to learn math facts! Skip counting songs are available for download here and here or you can make up your own. I've been known to sing 3's to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider, and 7's to Yankee Doodle Dandy.
There are many, many resources for learning math! Check out these fun books! Miss Brain's Cool Math Games Level 1, and Miss Brain's Cool Math Games Level 2. Both available in paperback or Kindle versions. HAVE FUN!
