So I remember the Summer of 1991 between 2nd and 3rd grade (I’m dating myself) when my mom had me go up to the upper level of our Detroit bungalow everyday to memorize my multiplication facts. I couldn’t come down until I studied for an hour in this steaming hot room. (No need for you to call for help, I’m an adult now lol) I was so frustrated but it felt like a right of passage. I worked hard and learned my facts before I even knew what multiplication really was. By the time I got to 4th grade, I noticed the fruits of my labor as math was easier to me. Multi Digit multiplication, fractions, long division (and more) all required knowledge of multiplication facts. If you didn’t know how to do the work, you were kind of…stuck.
How do I feel about learning math facts?
There has been some debate about math drills and learning math facts. Is it important for students to memorize basic facts? Based on my experience as a student and a teacher, yes. Learning basic facts in 3rd grade prepares kids for the years ahead. 3rd grade common core standards only require students to know up to 10×10.
I have seen a big dip in standardized Math test scores between 3rd and 4th grades. This is due to students not knowing their facts. However what I am realizing is the issue isn’t with memorizing facts, it’s with not knowing the why behind it. I memorized my facts before I even knew what multiplication was. The way that they teach multiplication in third grade now gives students who don’t know their facts options on how to reach the answer.
They now begin teaching multiplication with the how. They teach with arrays, groups, and multiplication sentences! This allows students who don’t know it to at least figure out a way to get to the answer. When I was younger, it was either you knew it or you were embarrassed. Now I definitely don’t think that students should be ridiculed for not knowing it, but as an educator, it can be painful watching how long it takes a 5th grader who does not know the basic facts to try to do long division.
So students should have a toolbox of strategies to help them to get to the answer as a backup. Some kids have math stamina and will persevere until they get, but there are quite a few who do not. No, it’s not a race, but let’s think about it…multiplication and division is going nowhere after third grade. It is in everything.
What about math drills?
I know several people where timed tests give them anxiety. This includes timed multiplication drills. I personally have test anxiety but I know that assessments aren’t going away. Math fluency is a focus of common core standards. But what does being fluent mean? According to Oxford, the definition of fluent is “able to express oneself easily and articulately.” I always told my third graders, if I ask you a multiplication problem, I want you to know it as quickly as if I asked you to tell me your name. When you encourage kids, they will do what is asked. Math drills may cause controversy but if kids can learn cheat codes to video games and dances to TikTok trends, why can’t they memorize multiplication facts?
Tell us how you feel below
-Liz
Here’s a free multiplication chart we created in our TPT store!