We may hear the chorus sound of small children reciting their multiplication tables joyfully. Children start to memorize multiplication tables from a very young age. Teachers should make their students understand the real purpose of multiplication instead of just making them learn by heart. Teaching multiplication for 2nd-grade students may seem difficult initially, but it can be easier when you follow some techniques. Let us see some easy ways to teach multiplication tables to 2nd-grade students.
Multiplication- Repetitive addition
Before memorizing multiplication tables, students can learn the repetitive addition to understand multiplication better. Since your students already know how to count numbers, make them perform repeated addition first. For example, if you teach them 3×3=9, they can’t understand easily. Instead, instruct them to add 3 three times, like 3+3+3, which is 9. You can also use visuals like making three groups of erasers, each group containing three erasers, and telling them to count using their hands. This method of teaching math multiplication helps them to understand better without getting confused.
Start teaching with easy and small numbers multiplication.
Children of a young age struggle to handle large numbers. Start teaching them multiplication practice by using small numbers at first. Initially, teach them what happens when we multiply any number with zero and one. Make them understand the concepts practically. For example, if there are three boxes, and all three boxes don’t have any ice creams in them, then how many ice creams will be in total? There will be none. If students start to learn by imagining things like this, they will grasp the concepts quicker.
Likewise, explain to your students what happens when we multiply one with any number- the identity property. After teaching multiplication with one and zero, introduce numbers that have less difficulty. The tenth table will not be difficult for children since they have to add a zero with the multiplicand. At the same time, multiplying by two will also be easier for them. Teach them to multiply by gradually introducing the larger numbers.
Use Commutative property
We know that the commutative property goes like this, a x b = b x a. Try to use the same concept for teaching multiplication easily to your young students. If they have memorized the second table, encourage them that they can try out other tables also. For example, 2×8 is also equal to 8×2. Try to encourage them by saying that they have memorized a small portion of every table by simply remembering a single table. This commutative property will help them learn bigger multiplication tables faster.
Make them memorize in simpler ways.
Students in second grade would have already started memorizing multiplication tables to do calculations faster. However, we can find some easier ways for them to learn by heart. As we said earlier, starting from smaller numbers is a good choice. There are some other ways to encourage them to learn multiplication. You can use some simples tips and tricks to help your students learn easily.
Allocate some time each day specifically for reciting the tables. Reciting them on a daily basis makes them memorize faster, and they will remember them longer. Don’t try to rush as it may confuse your students. Make them memorize by gradually introducing new numbers. At the same time, don’t ask them to memorize the tables from zero to ten or twelve at first. Make them comfortable to learn at their own pace. Try to break the tables down by the first three numbers, then five, and then go to ten or twelve in a step-by-step order.
Use fun ways to teach.
Make learning more fun for your students by sticking colorful multiplication tables posters on the walls of your classroom. Using visuals for teaching multiplication is one of the effective ways to learn faster. Apart from using visual aids, and posters, you can make learning more fun by conducting games. Form small groups within your classroom, and conduct a quiz, multiplication game, and multiplication word problem games revising the tables. Students will learn faster when they learn together in a group.
Using technology
Since children are fond of using technology and smartphones, you can use some of them for teaching multiplication practice. There are a lot of websites available nowadays that use graphics and animations to teach maths which will make your students learn with interest. You can also display the practical applications of math multiplication by preparing attractive slides and encouraging them to learn engagingly.
To Sum Up
Learning math multiplication is essential for young students to deal with huge or day-to-day calculations in the future. Teach them using the discussed strategies and make them more interested to learn multiplication.
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