Math Times Table Games

Many complex math concepts are built from a basic understanding of multiplication tables. A significant amount of time is devoted to memorizing times tables in elementary school. In most cases, teachers use repetition and review to ensure that students understand the vital times tables. Teachers can add some excitement to these lessons by engaging students in games.

Times Tables Fill-In

Students rack their brains while racing to fill in missing sections in this fast-paced, small-group game. To prepare, create a copy of a multiplication table and, using whiteout or slips of paper, cover over the numbers in some of the boxes. The more numbers you cover, the longer the game will last. Divide students into groups of three to four. Tell them you are going to give them a multiplication table with some of the numbers removed, and they must race to fill in the missing numbers. The first team to successfully complete the task wins.

Possibilities

Many numbers make multiple appearances on a standard multiplication table. Help students recognize this and identify problems that have the same same answer. To prepare, you need a list of numbers and a set of times tables. Divide students into four groups, then create four sections on the chalkboard, assigning one team to each sections. Give a piece of chalk and a multiplication table to each group. Give teams a number and two minutes to find as many multiplication combinations as they can using that number as the answer. Students can use the same numbers but in a different order, such as 3 times 4 and 4 times 3, because both equal 12. The team that comes up with the most correct multiplication matches at the end of two minutes wins a point.

Multiplication Chain

This game requires the entire class to work together to create a chain of multiplication problems and solutions. To prepare, write a multiplication problem on the front of a note card but the answer to a different problem on the back. For example, if you write 3 times 2 on the front, you might write 9 on the back. On the front of the next card, write the problem to the answer on the back of your first card, in this case 3 times 3, and the answer to still another problem on the back. Continue until you have created a chain of cards equal to the number of students in your class. Give an index card to each student. Tell students to work together to create a chain of multiplication problems. Ask one student stand and read his multiplication problem, then ask students to raise their hand if their card contains the answer to the problem. That student will then read her problem. Students will soon get the hang of the activity and work together to match the problems and solutions and create a complete multiplication chain.