Fourth Grade Multiplication Facts: Teaching Tips for Parents

Teaching the Multiplication Table to Your Fourth Grader

Make Sure Your Child Understands Multiplication

If your child doesn't truly understand what multiplication is all about, it won't be of much help for him to be able to perfectly recite the whole multiplication table. Have him use household items to demonstrate how multiplication works.

For example, you might give him an egg carton and dried beans. He should be able to demonstrate a multiplication equation, such as 3 x 4 by putting either three beans in four cups or four beans in three cups. Transfer this demonstration to paper by writing two math facts: 3 x 4 = 12 and 4 x 3 = 12. Do this with other math facts, too.

Check Knowledge

You might use a set of flash cards to see which facts your child knows and which she struggles with. If she has problems with only a few, then you might only need to go over those facts. You can do this with the flash cards, or you can find worksheets online to practice with. Continue to review the facts every week or so. However, if she does not know a large number of the facts, you may need to re-teach the whole multiplication table.

Next, be sure she knows that 3 x 4 is the same as 4 x 3. This rule, known as the commutative property of multiplication, reduces the remaining multiplication facts to be learned by almost 1/2.

Review the Facts Frequently

Flash cards are one of the most straight-forward methods to review math facts. Repeat every week so you know exactly which facts your child knows or does not know. Reviewing frequently and consistently can also help your child develop study habits.

Use Music

There are many CDs you can purchase that have songs about the multiplication table. A common one is Multiplication Mountain by Hap Palmer. If you play these songs while your child helps with dishes, dusting and other household chores, he will likely be singing along sooner or later, and voila - he knows the multiplication tables.

There are also multiplication-related DVDs, such as Schoolhouse Rock: Multiplication from Disney. Many kids enjoy the action they can see on a DVD, and your child can also just listen to it while doing chores, just as he can with a CD.

YouTube.com is another source for music. Just search for songs about the multiplication table to find a variety of educational songs.

Use Books

You can find a multitude of books to help your child with multiplication facts. Some books are fun stories that you can read aloud together or that she can read herself. Barrington and the Math Princess by Roxanne Eckenrode uses mnemonics to teach the facts. Times Tales by Jennie Von Eggers, M. J. Flanagan and Dena Wood teaches facts for three, four, six and 7-9.

Consider using activity books as well to help your child become engaged in the material. Some examples include Marvelous Multiplication: Games and Activities that Make Math Easy and Fun by Lynette Long and Math Games to Master Basic Skills: Multiplication & Division by Denise Kierman.

Use Games

In addition to the games you can find in books, there are also interactive games on the computer. Timez Attack from BigBrainz.com comes in both a basic, free version and a more complicated version you can purchase. Multiplication.com and Gamequarium.com also offer free, multiplication-related games online.