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Teaching conceptually leads to greater understanding and retention. Instead of memorizing multiplication facts like 2x3=6 have the kids explore that this is 2 groups of 3 which is the same as 3 groups of 2 an/or this is a rectangle that is 2 units by 3 units. Using various manipulatives helps with allowing kids to explore and discover these things. If they can figure something out without you telling them what to think they will also develop the idea that they can figure things out and they don't have to wait for someone to tell them the answer.
While I agree with the conceptual understanding, I also have watched students never get beyond having to ‘explore’ and figure each fact out. Fact memorization and pushing the students to learn them is okay, too. Mad Minutes or timed tests provides some encouragement to learn the facts. Good luck
Teachers in my school also use zearn. I have not used it, but they like it. I'm told that it has a dashboard for tracking student progress, too.
https://about.zearn.org/curriculum
I teach the concept of multiplication then encourage students to learn facts with automaticity. Students keep a weekly math/multiplication log. They are encouraged to practice 10-15 minutes a day at home. I give them ideas on how they might practice facts.
At the beginning of the school year I let students know that they will be participating in a “Multiplication Race” and the goal is to pass the finish line by the end of the school year. I have a bulletin board race track set up. students decorate a race car then place it on the race track at the starting line.
Twice a week I give students a five minute timed multiplication quiz. If a student receives 100% on a quiz he/she moves their race car and classmates applaud.
Students are very motivated to learn their facts. They enjoy moving their race car and seeing their progress towards the finish line.
They also love the competition.
I reward all students who master the facts with a multiplication party at the end of the school year. First, second, and third place receive a small prize. The “Multiplication Race” has worked for my students.
I have taught third grade for several years but just recently retired in June.
There's a dashboard to keep track of progress. Students can earn certificates, too.
Xtramath.org
I love XtraMath and also IXL. XtraMath is what I primarily use for practicing math facts and seeing individual student’s progress.
Prodigy has math and reading. It also has a dashboard to track student progress. It is free, but it also has a paid program as well. I have never paid for it, I have always used the free program.
https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en
There are lots of songs for learning multiplication facts: think “Jingle Bells” and sing 3 6 9, 12 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27, 30 and we’re done. Also contemporary artists like Taylor Swift songs
Times table, most standardized tests will let them use a calculator now.
Same goes for cubes and squares.
Laminate and let them use 🤷🏽♀️
I have had students also learn facts by skip counting. I would choose a number for them (draw from sticks) so they would not all choose the easy facts: 2a, 5s, 10s. Encouraging them to use an analog clock to relate the number x the clock numbers. They would race peers or me. If they beat my time, a prize was given. I will say over the years the vast majority of my students were well prepared for middle school/junior high as they knew all facts, +. -, x, and /!