I’m going to start this post by honestly telling you that math is not my forte. I’m not coming at this post from a math background or because I have researched the finer points of upper level math. I come at this as a homeschool mom who has realized that times tables are crucial – so much so, that I am willing to put all other math on hold to focus my attention on getting my children proficient in them.
When my oldest son was in elementary school, we didn’t have a lot of money to be spending on homeschool curriculum. I had been given a copy of Saxon 54 and after looking through the text, I realized I could easily transition him from his current Horizons Math 3 to Saxon 54 if he learned his times tables. So, that’s what we did. I spent about a month helping him memorize his times tables, and then he started Saxon 54.
When my next child came to the same spot in her math, I expected to transition her the same way I had my older son, but quickly realized Saxon was not going to be a good fit for her. We kept plugging away at her math lessons, but I noticed she really didn’t have her multiplication memorized and it was effecting everything she was learning. So, we stopped using her math workbooks and focused solely on her times tables. Once she had those facts in place and could recall them quickly, her math abilities and understanding increased exponentially.
By the time my next child came along, I knew we would hit a place where I would have to assess her knowledge of the times tables and act accordingly. By this time I was convinced my children needed to have their times tables memorized and not rely on a chart. It was apparent that memorization was the key to moving past simple problems and into the more complex equations of algebra and beyond. Multiplication was the crux of upper level math, and it had to be done without hesitation. It had to be implanted in their brains and recalled quickly.
However, unlike my older two children, Melia wasn’t retaining her multiplication facts quickly and easily. She would seem to have them down one day, and the next day draw a complete blank when faced with a page of multiplication problems. It was maddening.
And then I remembered a little story my mom used to tell me from her school days…
8 times 8 fell on the floor, and when they got up, they were 64.
It was a story. A rhyme that painted a visual picture. That was precisely what my little dramatic, story-telling child needed.
In fact, it’s exactly what my next child needed as well. Frankly, I think every child (and even some of us adults) can benefit from this type of “story-telling” to learn the times tables.
Here’s a great product on sale at Educents right now that does this very thing!
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take the time to stop all other math and focus on the times tables. You need your child to have these down pat. From there, the gate to upper level math swings wide open!
Times Tales is on sale at Educents right now for only $19.99. You can use it with any age because it is a story that helps your child to visualize the facts and ultimately recall them quickly and easily.
Here is everything that is included in the Times Tales package. Click here to learn more >>
Once your child has their multiplication facts down, you can go back to your usual lessons, and I am certain you will see a difference in their work. I certainly did!
I also want to stress that I do believe children need to have an understanding of what multiplication is all about (i.e. 2 x 3 = 2 sets of 3); however, it has been my experience that understanding this is not enough to help them retain math facts. My older two children didn’t need any extras to help them learn their facts, but my next two children did. They were different personalities and they needed these facts to take on a life of their own and become more than flat numbers on a page.
I’d love to hear your experiences with teaching the times tables and if you have tried stories to help your children learn them! And don’t forget to check out Educents for Times Tales and other great homeschooling deals!
Nikki says
PERFECT! I will definitely be ordering this for my story-tellling 11 year old! She can memorize a chapter of scripture, but not her times tables (or addition or subtraction for that matter). She’s super bright and I’m realizing that to this logical math-minded mom, she’s just got a VERY different way of learning and it’s been a challenge to figure out how to best help her be successful at math. She is getting WHY she needs to memorize them now that she’s older and finding situations in which it would be handy to quickly recall them. She’s loving Life of Fred, so I’m guessing she will really love this as well! Thanks so much!
Nola says
This looks really neat. I will save this idea for my next child who might need it. For now she is working on learning how to add. My oldest easily memorizes everything and so she got the times tables down very easily. I agree that its important. Thanks for sharing this!
Jenni says
My sister said that her kids really learned well with this book: http://www.amazon.com/Times-Tables-Fun-Way-Multiplication/dp/1883841437. So far I have not had to use that as I just have one who is doing multiplication and he’s got them down, but I’ve always kept it in the back of my mind just in case the other three need it later!
WiffytoJ says
What a timely post!!! We’ve been struggling with our times tables and were starting over with our Timez Attack. I think this will really help my kids (who are much too old to not have these facts down!)
I ordered it this morning and they have a Veteran’s Day sale so if anyone orders today make sure you put in the VETERANSDAY11 promo code in and you save an additional $2.20
Thanks so much, Amy!!
Chris, mom of 5 who don’t like math. 😉
Amy says
Thanks for sharing the coupon code!
Shelly Smith says
We have found that a fun way to practice times facts is with Reflex Math (online) which helps sharpen their skills (even after they have the facts memorized) and they think it is fun! I will have to look at this option too! Thanks!!
Rachel BUeckert says
I loved your opening statements about stopping other math until the times tables were learned—it was reaffirming to me that ‘hey, I’m not the only one!’ Because that is exactly what I had to do. My 10 yr old son got to a point, even in his great new math curriculum which he loves, where it became apparent that he NEEDED to know his times tables in order to have a smooth math lesson. I stopped everything to work with him on it. I’m glad I’m not the only one! 🙂 I also love the dvd help you showed in your blog post. I intend to check it out.
Amy says
I’ll admit, it was difficult for me to stop everything else, but it really was necessary!
Rebecca says
I ordered this over last summer and was really disappointed in it. I couldn’t tell that she was learning any more than just the usual flashcard/repetition that we had been doing. It didn’t even touch on the 11s family or the 12s family (in our house, we learn all the way through the 12s family). I had to continue to reinforce with repetition and quizzing. We have always tried to tackle multiplication and cursive handwriting in the summer time, when we aren’t doing any formal schooling (we do review in the summer and extra things like art or sewing or extra Spanish work and extra reading). I was really not happy with Times Tales at all.
Dawn says
If you aren’t opposed to a video game type of presentation, look up Timez Attack. It is hands down the best thing I ave ever seen for times tables. I have used it with 6 of my 10 kids so far, and it works perfectly with every single one!!
Go to bigbrainz.com for a FREE download.
Heather Mccuin says
My younger son had a handful of 7s and 8s that just would not stick long-term. We read Times Tables the Fun Way stories which helped with a few, but he still had 5 facts that kept sneaking out of his memory. I asked him to make up his own picture story for those 5 multiplication facts, he is a wonderful artist and they are funny, colorful and personal. The 5 pictures hang prominently in our classroom.
Amy says
Great idea!
Katrina says
I would recommend xtramath.org.
It helps review ALL math facts. (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc)
Bernice Lock says
Purchasing for my granddaughter for Christmas. Too many toys and this girl needs times tables reinforcement as I am not with her enough to keep on top of her times tables skills. Seems like one of your children who had memory lapses, so I’m hoping this will help her. God bless you for suggesting this.