'Mental multiplication' tutor notes

This module can be used as a starting point for: learning different methods of mental multiplication.

Please let us know what you think of the factsheets, worksheets, quiz and games at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk

How does this tie in with the new curriculums?

• England N1/L1.5 - Recall multiplication facts up to 10 x 10 and make connections with division facts.
• Wales
  As England.
• Northern Ireland
  As England.
• Scotland
  See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.

In the Skillswise module you'll find:

Mental multiplication factsheets
There are three sheets in this section which can be printed out and kept.

• Factsheet 1 - Three mental multiplication methods.
• Factsheet 2 - Two more mental multiplication methods.
• Factsheet 3 - A glossary of terms for multiplication.

Mental Multiplication Fridge Magnet Game
In this game the learner can practice mental multiplication skills by filling blanks in sums written out in fridge magnets.

At the start of the game, the learner can choose whether to answer questions by finding the answer or filling a blank in the question (eg. 35 x ? = 20). They can also choose whether to have a time limit (60 seconds) on each question. At the end they are given a score out of 10.

With a score of 8 or more a bonus screen is available, on which there is a random selection of fridge magnet letters to re-arrange and play about with.

Mental Maths Conveyor Belt Game In this game, the learner can practice mental multiplication skills by answering questions relating to items which appear on a conveyor belt.
At the start of the game, the learner can choose whether to answer questions by clicking on one of three choices, or by typing in their answers and clicking 'check' or hitting the return key. If they answer any question incorrectly, they get the choice of a second chance or just to see the correct answer. At the end they are given a summary of the questions, the answers they gave and their score.

If the learner answers more than 8 out of 10 questions correctly, they will be given the option of a bonus 'tennis' game, which is played using the mouse.

TOP TIP! To see the game completely full screen, press the F11 key on the keyboard. This takes away the distraction of the top browser bar. To bring the browser bar back, just press F11 again!

Mental multiplication quiz
The learner can choose their level. Level A is the easiest, level C the hardest.
Students can print out a certificate if they score 50% or more in the quiz. This will appear as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Once printed students can write their name on the certificate.

Mental multiplication worksheets
There are five printable worksheets in this section, for learners to carry on the work done online.

• Worksheet 1 - Practising multiplying tens then units.
• Worksheet 2 - Mental multiplication using rounding.
• Worksheet 3 - Using doubling to multiply amounts.
• Worksheet 4 - Changing the order of multiplication sums.
• Worksheet 5 - Split numbers into their factors.

Technical help:

To get the most out of this topic area you need the following 'plug-ins':

• Flash
  The game in this topic section uses Flash. This is free to download and should only take a few minutes. You can follow the BBC WebWise instructions to download it to your machine.
  Find out more.

If you don't have Flash the same learning points are covered in the quiz and in the worksheets and factsheets.
If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.

You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.

Taking it further:

Here are a few suggestions of other places on the web that you might find useful resources that you can adapt for teaching times tables.

• Multiplication.com
  A site with games, activities, techniques, tips, and secrets for teaching times tables.
• AAA Math - multiplication
  An American site containing many pages demonstrating different multiplication skills, with interactive activities and games.

Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of other websites.

Do you know of any great online resources for practising mental multiplication? Tell us about them!

Don't forget to visit Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations for more ideas for mental maths.