The basic foundation to Maths is knowing your times tables.
The ability to recall numbers (Mental Maths) helps a student build self confidence with numbers and it is an empowering skill that motivates and instills in the student the knowledge that he/she is able to do Maths.
One method to learn a multiplication is by Visual Memorization. I have students who have mastered a multiplication within minutes.
This is my method of teaching Visual Memorization and I will be using the 2 times tables as my example.
Step 1:
Write the first 5 answers to the 2 times tables on stickers.
Step 2:
Stick the stickers onto the left hand of the student starting from left to right.
Step 3:
Ask the student to read out the numbers three times.
Step 4:
Cover the hand and ask them to recall to numbers.
Step 5:
Repeat if necessary until the student recalls the numbers with ease and confidence.
Step 6:
Write the next 5 answers to the 2 times tables on stickers and stick them onto the right hand.
Step 7:
Repeat steps 3-5.
Step 8:
Write the last 2 answers to the 2 times tables on stickers and stick them as below.
Step 9:
Repeat steps 3-5.
Step 10:
Praise and reward the student for being a star!
