How to boost fact knowledge and retention with these tested strategies
You’ve been teaching your students their multiplication facts. It’s been a couple weeks but they seem to be getting it by the end of math class on Monday, so you’re feeling pretty good. Your students come back to class on Tuesday and you throw out some easy warm-up problems: 4 x 2, 3 x 5.
And...crickets.
It’s as if you never taught the concept! In my classroom, I sometimes felt like I was teaching and reteaching the same math facts over and over again.
What’s your next move?
- Devote 5 minutes at the beginning of math class to practice verbally skip counting.
- Find some storybooks in your library that are related to multiplication. Use these storybooks for your read aloud the next few days.
- Whip out those counters and start making groups: 4 groups of 2 counters and 3 groups of 5 counters, etc.
- Spend 15 minutes twice a week playing multiplication board games with your students in stations.
My answer might surprise you! Keep reading to find out what it is...
