Helping Your Third Grader with Multiplication

January 24, 2009 Uncategorized No Comments

Learning multiplication and third grade go together. It is a big thing for third graders and when they get done, they feel like they have really accomplished something.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Many eager parents go out and buy flash cards or some cute math game for the computer and have their child start practicing. But wait…

Before your child starts memorizing the multiplication facts, he needs to understand the concept of what multiplication is.

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Here is how you can help:

  1. Decide on an object (I used footballs) and put the same amount in equal groups. I made three  groups of two footballs. You can use marshmallows, spoons, M&M’s or anything you have at home.
  2. Ask your child to make an adding problem to find the total. I did 2+2+2=6.
  3. Then have them write it in words.  Three groups of two equals six or three groups of two footballs equals six footballs.
  4. Finally, show them the multiplication way: 3×2=6

Note:  Not until my students understood completely what they were doing did I allow them to say the word “times”.  We always said three ” groups of “  when we saw the symbol “X”.   SO  4×2=8 was read 4 groups of 2 equals 8.  Doing this helped them understand what they were doing so much better.

In the following posts I will give you more ideas on how to help your child learn to multiply.