[MATHEDCC] multiplication facts

Laura Bracken (bracken@LCSC.EDU)
Thu, 4 Mar 1999 10:31:42 -0800

We've spent a lot of time talking about development of number sense in our
students, an essential focus. Turning the other way, I have some students
who need concrete suggestions for improving their ability to memorize and
retrieve information e.g. the multiplication tables. They understand the
concept of multiplication but just can't remember the facts. Usually I
figure that a student who hasn't learned the tables by the time they are 20
is probably not going to do so. I encourage them to use the compensating
strategies they have developed such as finger counting and counting up by
intervals. They simply seem to have a deficit in their ability to retrieve
isolated information such as 8 times 7 is 56 directly from long-term
memory. Occasionally, however, I have a student who never had the chance to
learn them (moving or something traumatic or wasn't developmentally ready
at the time) and really wants to learn the math facts now.

Other than flashcards, does anybody have any ideas?

--Laura

____________________________________________________________________
Laura Bracken bracken@lcsc.edu

Division of Natural Science and Mathematics Office: 208-799-2484
Lewis-Clark State College Fax: 208-799-2064
500 8th Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501
_____________________________________________________________________

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