POWER OF THREE Method for Multiplication

Room 205 is in the process of learning our times tables and we are using a variety of strategies to be able to solve multiplication problems.  So far the class has learned how to use arrays, repeated addition and patterns to help find the product.  We understand that factors are the numbers you multiply in a multiplication sentence.  We understand that a multiplication sentence has factors that you multiply to find the product, which is the answer in a multiplication sentence.

I've also empowered the students to practice on their own using the POWER OF THREE Method of learning, thank you Mrs. Winter!  Students are given three new multiplication facts each day on 3x5 index cards.  They then write the multiplication sentence on the each card leaving a big space betweeen the equal sign and the product (so there is room to cover up the product when practicing). 

POWER OF THREE Method for Multiplication:

• First, they practice each fact by using their index finger to touch each fact as they read the sentence out loud to themselves: ex. 2x3=   6:  Students will repeat out loud to themselves three times: 2 times 3 equals 6, 2 times 3 equals 6, 2 times 3 equals 6.
• They practice the three facts given each day. 
• When they want to test themselves, they would take any three facts they choose, hold the card with the thumb underneath the card with they four fingers covering up the product (answer) and they guess the answers.  
• If they get the answer right, they place the card on the table in front of them.  
• If they get the answer wrong, they put the card THREE cards back in their pile of cards and they will see it again.  
• If they get it right the next time, they still KEEP the card in the pile of cards they are testing themselves for three more sightings, until they've gotten it correct three times straight.
• Students should do this everyday so that they can master their multiplications tables.
• Students have a Ziploc bag with their names on them and they are to take the bags of cards back and forth from school home and back to school each day so that they always have it with them to practice their multiplication facts.

Also, if you can please send in more Ziploc or Hefty, or any bags that zip close, we can really use more of them to keep our index cards of spelling and vocabulary words as well as math facts.

 Happy practicing!