By now, most of us know that the mad minute speed drills we did ourselves, or made kids do, are not beneficial. They cause some real math anxiety. But what are the other options? Flashcards? If you are looking for some fun and engaging activities to support multiplication fluency, then you are in the right place! Keep reading for links and ideas on activities to incorporate in your classroom.
Estimation Station
I love estimating! If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I talk about it a lot. This is one of my favorite ways to also support multiplication fluency. How does it help? When I do my estimation station, I add in clues. Almost every time I have a clue about multiples or factors. This supports students multiplication fluency in a way that is fun to them and they don’t even realize! Click here to see an example.
Esti-Mystery
This is another estimation activity that lends itself to multiplication fluency. Like estimation station, it starts with students estimating and then gives clues to lead them to the final correct answer. The clues are already done, but you can also create your own. Click here for the link, and be ready to get lost in a multitude of awesome activities for students!
Two Truths and a Lie
This is simple yet awesome! I have this as a “May Do” in my classroom (if you are unsure what that is, checkout this blog post about my math menus). I post a new number every week. Students have to figure out the lie about the number. Like the previous two activities, you can create clues that lend themselves to practicing multiples and multiplication. My students have been loving this so far!
Pop It Practice
I don’t know about you, but my 5th and 6th grade students are STILL obsessed with pop its. I ordered some online that have numbers already on them (1-100). Then I created a resource to go along with it where students are practicing multiples or rolling a die and creating arrays based on what they rolled. Simple yet effective, and every student wants to do it because it involves pop its!
I Have, Who Has
I LOVE this game. Students have different cards in their hands. One student starts by saying, “I have start. Why has 4 x 8?” Then whoever has the answer to 4 x 8 says “I have 32. Who has …” Play continues until all of the cards have been used. This is a favorite in my classroom.
Table Topper
This is one of my favorite games. If you have not heard about this game, all you need is the playing board and two paper clips. This game is featured in the book “Well Played” and if you have not read that book, try to get your hands on it. It is full of great games to support fluency in grades 3-5.
Have you incorporated any of these in your classroom? What other activities do you use to support multiplication fluency in your classroom?
2 thoughts on “Activities to Support Multiplication Fluency”
I’d like to try your Pop it Practice idea. You say here that you created a resource to go with them. Do you have that for sale somewhere?
It is in my Ultimate Math Menu Bundle