Why are so many children struggling to remember their times tables? Why are kids still counting on their fingers if I ask them: 3 x 6 = ? Maybe we should try different methods and not only the traditional math drills that work for left brainers.
Triangles for right brainers
In many classrooms and homes children are learning their times tables. Knowing your Math facts is such an important skill. Not only for mental math, but we use it in every walk of life. You have to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide and you have to be able to do it FAST!
My experience as a mother and teacher is that math drills work well for children who are more left brain orientated – they thrive on learning things that are written in an organized manner, like lists. The more right brain orientated child enjoy learning when they can add color and pictures.
Multiplication triangles for mental math
These multiplication triangles are perfect to teach or practice math facts and they work for the left brain and right brain orientated child – win win situation! With each triangle they learn that those three numbers belong together when we multiply or divide. I like to put the product in the right bottom corner as this shows them the inverse when you work from right to left in an equation.
It is as if your brain takes a picture of the triangle and then whenever you see 2 of the tree numbers in any calculation or word problem, the 3rd number seems to pop out! Pure magic!
You can print them on color paper and then laminate it for durability – a different color for each time table works well. Or print in black and white and let the kids decorate it before you laminate – that will add a nice personal touch. Cut the triangles out, laminate and now they can learn and play with it. Also have a look at the big math fact triangles that I use as classroom décor. More about this a little later in this post.
Math facts – play and learn
We all love to play games. Why not let your kids play these Speedy Math games with their multiplication triangles!
- Speedy Math Game 1 : Shuffle the Math triangles, then take one triangle. Copy the numbers on the worksheet and write down the 4 equations – 2 using multiplication and 2 using division. You can even let them race and see who can complete it first! The recording sheet is included.
- Speedy Math Game 2 : Draw a triangle and pick two numbers between 0 and 13. Write the numbers on the triangle (top and left). Multiply the two numbers and write the answer on the right. Now write the 4 equations – 2 using multiplication and 2 using division. The recording sheet is included.
I encourage all my students to use these multiplication triangles on a daily basis. I also used it with my own son when he was in grade 5 and it really worked! When parents ask me what they can do to help their children with Math, one of my answers is always: “Help them to make these multiplication triangles!”
Classroom décor
I use the big times tables posters as classroom décor. Just look how cute it looks above the black board! Perfect for parents and homeschooling as well! Just print them on color paper, cut out, laminate and you are good to go! I use them regularly as a reference to reinforce math facts whether we are busy with long division, practicing multiplication or doing word problems. The kids who still need some extra help can have a quick look when they are busy with classwork. Just remember to cover it or take it down when they are writing a test.
Tip 1: A good idea is to print each times table on a different color e.g. x 3 on yellow and x4 on green. Cut them out and paste the two different times tables back to back before you laminate it. Now you can easily rotate the different times tables either on the wall or on your bulletin board. Here you can see the 6x table on blue but displayed differently.
Tip 2: Display it on your bulletin board together with some other great math posters! For me the magic about these Times Tables Triangles is the visual impact it has – whenever you see 2 of the tree numbers the 3rd immediately pops out! Magic! The Time and Elapsed Time Posters in this picture are available HERE.
Tip 3: Why not paste the math fact triangles in your window so that everyone who walks past can have a quick look. Or let your students look, point and say the 4 equations after they lined up outside your classroom – repetition is so powerful!
Tip 4: Divide the class into 2 groups and play “Battle of the Facts”! Grab some big triangles and give each group a triangle. The 1st group show their triangle and the 2nd group must say the 4 equations as quickly as possible – you can even put a time limit to the answers! If they get it correct within the given time they get one point. Now they get a chance to show a math fact triangle to group 1 etc. Use it as a quick morning routine or as a filler at the end of the period.
Multiplication Wheels
Another way to practice Times Tables that I find really works well, is to give your kids some Multiplication Wheels. Grab this FREE X4 Multiplication Wheel from my TPT Store My Creative Maths.
These worksheets that I have created have 6 wheels per times table that fits on one page – that means more practice! The 1ste wheel is the easiest where they have to use basic multiplication. The next wheels include division which I find is usually a bit more challenging. The last wheel on each page is just division or the inverse calculation.
TIP: Laminate the Multiplication Wheels and let your kids use it with their dry erase markers. That way you can use it again and again!
Time saving resources
It works really well if you use these resources together so why not get the following bundle – it will save you time and your kids will get the practice they need. With my Multiplication and Division Bundle you get ALL these no-prep resources at once! Just print and laminate and you are good to go!
My Multiplication and Division Bundle has the following resources included:
- Times Tables Triangles – small version for the kids, just print and laminate. You can also send it home so that they can learn their math facts every day in a fun way.
- Math Facts Triangle Classroom Décor – the big triangles will brighten your classroom but will also be a reference for your kids when they are doing classwork.
- Multiplication Wheels for the 2 to 12 times table – each page covers a time table and it contains 6 wheels from easy multiplication to the more difficult division facts. Print and laminate and then use with white erase markers – it works like a dream!
- FREE 4 Times Multiplication Wheels – this worksheet is included in the bundle.
You might also like this post about FREE Math fact worksheets. These no prep worksheets will help kids practice their times tables. Included are a riddle, math word search, multiplication wheel, plot the picture and math puzzle.
If you are already using the Times Tables Triangles you can get the Multiplication Wheels separately. It is another great resource to use for practicing math facts – use for math centers, early finishers, time fillers or remedial work.
You can also hop over to my TpT store and have a look at some of the other Math resources that are available. Please subscribe to my newsletter to be informed of new Math tips and resources. Together we can make it a GREAT MATH DAY!
My Creative Maths 
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