I was first introduced to Cuisenaire Rods and the ideas in this free math tutoring video (and others) through the Miquon math curriculum. The use of the word “of” for multiplication rocked our math world here in this house! It also comes in handy when teaching fractions (think: 1/2 OF 1/3 when reading 1/2 x 1/3).
Cuisenaire Rods provide a visual and tactile way for children to learn and REMEMBER how multiplication works. If they forget a math fact, they will be able to work out the answer through distribution strategies that are naturally understood when working with these math blocks.
The multiplication table SHOULD NOT be the way children are introduced to multiplication. Symbols, tables, charts, etc. should always be the last thing introduced after plenty of work with manipulatives. When children struggle in math, it is usually because they do not have a visual framework of what it all means. This method ensures that that won’t happen.
Once you are familiar with the first few methods for doing mental math, you may find that you enjoy this one the best of all!
If you are teaching mental math to children, give them many problems of one type until they become proficient in that particular way of doing mental math. Then show them another way until they can do it in their heads – without manipulatives. Keep doing this until you have shown them all the methods or until they are quick enough with one method that they don’t need others. Let them choose which method they prefer. None is better than any other.
Most children can be taught mental math strategies once they have their facts to 10 memorized – somewhere between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Mental math is an excellent way to build and ensure number sense!
This free math tutoring video shows another way to do math in your head! This is my 6-year-old’s preferred method. She even came up with it on her own! Look through all my mental math videos, try out all the methods, and decide what your favorite is!
If you are teaching mental math to children, give them many problems of one type until they become proficient in that particular way of mental math. Then show them another way until they can do it in their heads – without manipulatives. Keep doing this until you have shown them all the methods or until they are quick enough with one method that they don’t need others. Let them choose which method they prefer. None is better than any other.
Most children can be taught mental math strategies once they have their facts to 10 memorized – somewhere between Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Mental math is an excellent way to build and ensure number sense!
