 |
 |
Math Memorization
Name: Jeanine M.
Status: student
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
What is the absolute best way for a 5th grader to
memorize the multiplication tables?
Replies:
Jeanine,
I do not know the best way, but I do know the worst way. Do not encourage
the student to count through the tables like this:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 .... etc.
7 14, 21, 28, 35, ... etc.
12, 24, 36, 48, 60, ... etc.
Even if they get very skilled at it, students who use this method will
be crippled because each multiplication problem will cause (force) them
to mentally count through the table until the desired result is
obtained. This wastes time and slows the thinking process.
Regards,
ProfHoff 348
The best way I can think of and that has been useful to me is just
REPETITION REPETITION REPETITION REPETITION REPETITION REPETITION
REPETITION REPETITION.
The 2nd best approach would be for some sort of association method. 2x's are
easy. You just count by two's. 10x's are easy. You just add a zero at the
end. 9x's are kind of easy with each higher number starting from 2, 3, 4,
and so on then second number goes down by one...1X9 = (9),2 X 9 1(8) and so
on.
In my opinion this gets to be too much of a hassle trying to remember all of
your pneumonics. The best way is just to memorize that 9 X 7 = 63 and that
8 X 7 = 56. In time and with repetition to the point of nausea the 5th
grade student will have no problems retaining the multiplication tables from
1's to 12's.
-Darin Wagner
Hi, Jeanine !!
There is not a best way to memorize
the multiplication tables. They should be
learned naturally, and repeated like our names,
like the name of our food, of our brother,
sister, mother, father, ...etc.
Alcir Grohmann
I am not sure there is a "best way" to memorize multiplication tables. Here
are some suggestions:
1. The fifth grader is likely to say, "I have a calculator, why do I have
to memorize these 'dumb' tables?" You better be prepared to have a
response. He/she could use a hand calculator to do
exercises and/or games involving multiplication 'facts'.
2. Different people learn in different ways -- some visually, some by
hearing, and so on. Prepare exercises using the various senses to create
exercises (games) involving multiplication.
3. Use the fact that multiplication is really a shortened form of
addition. This gives the
student an alternative to memorization. For example, 3 x 7 = 7 + 7 + 7. The
fifth grader may well be able to add (7 + 7 + 7) even when 3 x 7 remains a
mystery.
Good Luck
Vince Calder
Click here to return to the General Topics Archives
| |
Update: February 2012
|
|
