The objective of this article is to give parents a fun and easy activity that will help their children learn the basic multiplication facts, which, in turn, will increase their basic number sense.  I also explain why it is so important for your child to learn the basic multiplication facts.      
Most schools where I live have completed the 2019-2020 school year.  One of my concerns is that, due to the shortened school year, students have not had the full opportunity to practice or learn their multiplication or addition facts.  The reason knowing these seemingly basic facts is so important is that there has been research that shows those students who haven’t mastered their  multiplication facts by middle school will, most likely, have difficulty being successful in later math courses.  
Many might think that I am exaggerating or overstating this unfortunate situation.  But having taught middle school (6th, 7th, and 8th grades) for over 20 years, I have found this to be a fact.  Let’s quickly review why this makes sense.  
Let’s assume that a child is going into the sixth grade, which is his or her first year of middle school, and does not have mastery of the multiplication facts.  How then can we expect them to be successful in the following typical, sixth grade math topics, such as:
1)     Multiplying and dividing whole numbers
2)     Multiplying and dividing decimals numbers
3)     Adding and subtracting fractions (finding the least or a common denominator)
4)     Multiplying and dividing fractions 
5)    Converting between decimals, fractions, and percents
6)    Converting a mixed number to an improper fraction
7)    Converting an improper fraction to a mixed number
8)    Solving more complex one step and two step equations
And the list doesn’t stop here! One of the interesting things about math, is that in order to be successful at a future topic, one needs to have a fairly high mastery of the information needed to be successful at that topic. Since our student has not mastered the information on the multiplication facts, there is a good chance that success is going to be much more difficult than it needs to be.  As a teacher, there was nothing more heart breaking than to see a student struggle on learning an easier topic due to not having the prerequisite information needed in order to be successful.  It doesn’t have to be that way!
So, how about a very easy activity/game that kids seem to enjoy which will help them learn and be successful on their multiplication facts, as well as, for those younger elementary students, on their addition facts.  This is a game that most of us have played as children.  All that is needed is one deck of playing cards. 

 

The name of the game is Multiplication War or Addition War
Directions:
This game, War, is the same game most of us played as kids.  One deck of playing cards is needed.  
Remove all picture cards (Jokers, Jacks, Queens, and Kings) from the deck.  Now you’re left with a deck that has one (ace) through ten, in each suite (40 cards).  
(1)    Shuffle the deck well.
(2)    Deal out all remaining cards to you and your opponent, alternating between each.
(3)    After all cards have  been dealt, have both players place their stack of cards on the table, face down, so no one can see each other’s cards. 
(4)    The game starts by everyone turning over the top card in their deck at the same time.  
(5)    Let’s say that one player turns up a 6, and the other turns up a 3.  The first player to correctly say the product of the two numbers, in this case, 18, wins the that round, and then keeps the two cards for that round. Then each player turns another card over at the same time.  Again, the first person to correctly state the product of the two cards collects the cards.  Continue turning cards over as before, where the first player to correctly say the product of the two numbers wins the cards.  The game can end two ways:
1)    After both players have  turned over all their cards, which will be at the same time, each  counts how many cards have been collected.  The player having the most cards in his or her “card pile” wins the game.
2)    If the kids are older, and have a longer attention span, keep on playing until one player has all of the cards.  
 If you want to practice basic addition facts with your child, play the same game, but instead of saying the product of the two numbers, state the sum of the two numbers.
This activity can also be used to help children to actually learn their multiplication facts.  Let’s say that you are interested in helping your student learn to multiply by 6’s.  This will take two decks of cards.  There will be two cards side by side.  One will be the 6 from deck one, and the other card, from deck will be turned up after each round.  Below, is how it will look.

              Have your student say, “6 times 5 equals 30.”

              Student says, “6 times 7 equals 42.”

              Student says, “6 times 3 equals 18.”

              Student says, “6 times6 equals 36.”
When the child is first learning how to multiply by each number, use 1 through 9, so that there is only one set of 1 through 9 cards; ie., there are only 9 cards.  Kids usually have short attention spans, especially, so it seems, learning math.  It is my experience that most of the time, when teaching math to children, slower is faster!  

 

    Also, it is very important that after each round, the student says the fact the same way each time.  This way, the student is seeing the fact, saying the fact, and hearing the fact.
As said previously, this same game can be used to also help your child learn basic addition facts.            

 

For example:

    Student says, 4 plus 9 equals 13.”

    Student says, 4 plus 3 equals 7.”

Be sure to have your student say the fact the same way each time.  
Things to remember when teaching your child:
1)    You’ve known these math facts for years and years.  To us, they are second nature; almost like we’ve known them forever.  To your child, however, this may be brand new material.  So present the material in a loving, patient and fun way.  
2)    It is said that before a concept is learned, it must be practiced many times.  So, take 5, 10, or 15 minutes and practice.  On some days, your child will have a longer attention span than on others.  When the child gets antsy, it may be time to stop.  
3)    Positive reinforcement is always better when teaching, even if the results are not as good as you had hoped.  There is always tomorrow for improvement!
4)    Learning these math facts is not a race.  The most important thing is that your child learns these basic facts.  
5)    Practicing these facts is an ongoing thing.  It can be done while walking outside, cooking, or any other activity when parent(s) and child are together.  Be sure to keep it fun and positive.
6)    Always appreciate the effort your child is able to give while learning.  Kids appreciate it when you thank them for their effort.
7)    Make sure that you give plenty of positive reinforcement, even when answers are not correct.
8)    Most important, have fun teaching your child.  If you’re having fun, so is your child.
Enjoy and remember, you are the most important teacher in your child’s life.

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