The leap from learning subtraction and addition to learning multiplication is one of the most daunting tasks students will face at school.
And it’s not just students who have trouble with the subject.When teaching multiplication, educators frequently start with the wrong concepts or work through lessons too quickly. This can discourage and intimidate students, ultimately damaging learning outcomes. Thankfully, there are known strategies to avoid these obstacles. Use the guide below to see how you can make teaching and learning multiplication easy in six simple steps that will engage and resonate with students. This article is broken down into two sections:Section A A six-step guide to teaching multiplication ✔ Learn how to introduce key concepts and how to teach kids to learn and memorize the multiplication table! |
Section B Fun ways to learn multiplication ✔ A list of fun ideas for teaching multiplication to your students! |
Section A: The six step guide to teaching multiplication
1. Relate multiplication to addition
Avoid starting with memorization. Students typically struggle to memorize multiplication facts on the first try, and this can lead to a fear of the multiplication table. The simplest way to begin teaching multiplication is to anchor the concept in terms of its relation to addition -- an operation your students should already be comfortable with.
2 x 2 is the same as 2 + 2
or
3 x 4 is the same as 4 + 4 + 4
2. Start with the multiples of zero and one
Multiplying by zero: The zero property
Highlight to your class that adding zero to a number has no effect on its identity:n + 0 = n
Next, explain that in multiplication, any number multiplied by zero is also zero:n x 0 = 0
Encourage students to discover examples of the zero property in the room. For example, a classroom that has 25 chairs with zero monkeys sitting on each one means that there are no monkeys in the classroom.Optionally, one amusing example of a fun math activity to entertain your students involves thinking of funny examples of this property, like 0 x one million = 0 ... or ... 0 x ham sandwich = 0. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="351"]
Multiplying by one: The identity property
In short, the identity property states that the product of a given number and one is that number itself: n x 1 = n.Just like with the zero property, highlight to your class that multiplying a number by one results in the same value. To ground the property in a real-life context, encourage your class to think of instances of the identity property in the classroom.For instance,- One group of eight desks is eight desks
- A single row on the calendar showing seven days is seven days

3. Cover the multiplication table, starting with the “easy” numbers
To review, your students should now understand that multiplication can be thought of as repeated addition. They should also have taken time to multiply numbers by zero and one. While they don’t need to know the technical terms, students should understand how the zero property and identity property work.Now, it’s time to take on one of the biggest leaps: covering the multiplication table.One effective approach works as follows:- Display a chart or overhead slide of the 12 x 12 multiplication table. If you wish, supplement this with student copies of the multiplication chart. If a 12 x 12 chart seems too overwhelming, perform the same process with a 10 x 10 multiplication chart.
- Teach students how to use the chart and find products by following and matching the position of numbers using the vertical and horizontal axes.

- Now, talk about some of the patterns you can find in the chart. Offer students clues or hints. For example, note how every multiple of ten ends in zero, and every multiple of five ends in zero or five.
- Ask students which facts are the easiest. For instance, the ones and tens are easy. Now that you have discussed the "easy" multiplication facts -- and what it is that makes them easy -- eliminate them from the chart.


- Look at the remaining numbers with your class. Use the opportunity to lead a dynamic discussion and lead into the next step.
4. Show how the commutative property makes things easier
Just like addition, multiplication is commutative, meaning the order of factors doesn’t change the product (the answer). In other words, two numbers can be multiplied in any order, and the product will be the same. For example, multiplying 8 x 2 will give you the same answer as multiplying 2 x 8. When you communicate this effectively, it will encourage your students.

5. Break memorization down into easy steps
At this point, your students are ready to begin memorizing the multiplication table. It is likely that they have already begun to do so. Be aware that it is not always obvious to students why they need to learn multiplication facts off by heart. Communicate the importance of understanding the meaning behind multiplication facts and how they can be used in everyday situations.
- Encourage students and set time for them to practice verbally or in writing.
- Introduce new multiplication facts one by one, gradually and incrementally opening the concept to the more advanced steps of multiplying by 2, 3, 4 and so on.
- Give students time to practice the multiplication facts. Find a rhythm that works well in your classroom. If you wish, take advantage of peer learning for students who are struggling.
- Memorize the facts in a strategic order. Once your students master 0-3, proceed to 4-7, and then 8-10. Depending on your preference, you may also cover 11 and 12. Including more challenging problems as a bonus will help you to gauge high-achieving students. Some teachers will include a few harder problems for a bonus or to identify high-achieving students.


6. Introduce the associative and distributive properties
While these concepts are more advanced, it is important your students grasp them. You will find they can work wonders to improve your students’ mental math. Note: Use your discretion when introducing the properties below. They may not be applicable to students in any year lower than the 4th Grade.The associative property
The rule of associative property states that no matter the way you group factors, the product will always be the same. For example,(a x b) x c = a x (b x c)
or
(1 x 2) x 3 = 1 x (2 x 3)
Your students can understand this concept by relating it to column addition, whereby they group addends to find the sum. Students can also learn to group factors in any way they find most convenient as they look for the answer. You may explain this rule as an extension of the commutative property above.The distributive property
The distributive property is symbolized as a(b + c) = (ab) + (ac)
Section B: Fun ways to teach multiplication
Play Classroom Math Games
Classroom math games can take the fear out of multiplication. Consider these two examples specialized to multiplication:Calculator Constants If the calculators in your classroom have a constant function, encourage your students to use them to discover the multiples of any number to find the link between multiplication and addition.
- Pick a factor such as seven, and enter it.
- Hit the + button, then press the = button. The calculator should show seven again.
- Next, continue to press the = button. The constant function will continually add seven, showing the number’s incremental multiples (7, 14, 21, 28, and so on)
- Optionally, have students record a list of the multiples they find and encourage them to look for patterns in the list they come up with


Use fun math books in class
In our review of math books for students, we found a list of exceptional resources for teachers. Review numbers three, five, and six to find examples of publications that feature multiplication and help support a well-structured math curriculum.Support learning with math websites
The internet is home to a vast selection of powerful and useful educational math websites for teachers and students. See our list of helpful math websites for teachers, five of which you can share with students.One resource is Prodigy, a free, curriculum-aligned math game used by more than 800,000 teachers and 30 million students around the world.Prodigy offers content from every major math topic -- including multiplication -- and covers 1st to 8th Grade. You can make learning multiplication a fantasy-inspired journey where students’ success depends on honing curriculum-aligned math skills!It’s also backed by quantitative research. In a recent study, we found that schools enrolled in Prodigy both performed better and enjoyed greater improvements on test results than inactive schools.

How to Teach Multiplication: Final Thoughts
If multiplication is a science, then helping your students understand the operation is an art.
