Multiplication tables video

This video is about using a structured drill to learn multiplication tables. I consider "structured" drill far superior to starting kids with random drill. This kind of drill uses the structure of the table itself to help the children at first.

Once they master this, it's time to use random drills (flashcards).


Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello, I enjoyed the video! I really like the direct relation of the multiplication facts to the skip-counting pattern. This should help ingrain the structure of multiplication in the student's mind.

I wonder how much the student's might try to rely on short-term memory to answer some of the facts, but this is also mitigated by reviewing the facts again 4-6 hours later.

The drill is nice and straightforward, and shouldn't take much time, I look forward to seeing more!
9:00 PM, February 03, 2009
Anonymous said…
Maria,
Your first ever YouTube video was GREAT! Understandably, you were a bit nervous but this will pass as you do more and more. Your presentation was wonderful, clear, and effective.

As always, I poured over you recent newsletter far longer than any others I get. You are my math guru!

Hank
2:41 PM, February 04, 2009
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much for this video. I'm excited about trying it with 2 of my children. I especially appreciate the various ways you drill(skip counting, backwards, finding the missing number, etc)

You're my math guru too!

pat(homeschooling mom)
9:20 AM, February 09, 2009
Anonymous said…
Hello, I made program of 'drill of multiplication table' by Java Applet.
Please visit my site and try it.
12:56 AM, February 21, 2009
Amber Avello said…
I watched another one of your videos on YouTube, about how to drill the multiplication facts using 3 steps (number line, structured practice, and backwards practice). I like the techniques you showed and I am interested in using them with my students that need remediation in multiplication.

I have a couple of questions for you, which occurred to me as I was watching the video:

1) Do you this kind of structured practice could also help with students who need help with addition facts? Believe it or not, I have students who cannot add small, simple numbers without the aid of their fingers.

2) You mentioned research in the video that states that it is important to review material the same day in order to aid with learning and memory. Do you happen to know a link that could point me to such research? I tried doing a search on Google, and of course the field is flooded with articles on memory and learning. I was hoping there was a particular article that you could point me to, as I would be extremely interested in reading it.

Best regards,

Amber Avello
Math Teacher
New York City
3:29 PM, May 03, 2009
Maria Miller said…
Hello Amber,

1) Yes, definitely so. See for example

Number Rainbows to learn subtraction facts and How NOT to drill addition facts.

My books Math Mammoth Add & Subtract 2-A and Math Mammoth Subtraction 1 employ these principles.


2) I did happen to stumble upon the thing I originally read it in:

Learning Strategies at Smart-Kit. ...though when I first read it, it was in an e-book format. Now they've made it into a website instead.

If you search in Google for "forgetting curve" you'll find more instances of this principle mentioned, for example:

The Forgetting Curve (a doc file).

Hope this helps.
3:31 PM, May 03, 2009
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