Multiplication is the act of multiplying or obtaining a total number, from the number of something multiplied a specified number of times by another number. For example, 2 x 3 = 6, which is two of one type(thing or number) multiplied three times.
Everyday Mathematics
Here are 14 engaging hands-on activities to teach Multiplication to adults, focusing on the listed topics, along with materials for each activity:
Array Building:
Activity: Use objects like buttons or blocks to create arrays that represent multiplication problems (e.g., 3 rows of 4 blocks for 3 × 4).
Materials:
Small objects (buttons, blocks).
Graph paper or mats for arranging arrays.
Repeated Addition:
Activity: Show how multiplication is repeated addition by grouping objects and adding them together.
Materials:
Small objects.
Worksheets for recording results.
Symbol Matching:
Activity: Provide cards with multiplication problems and symbols. Participants match the correct symbol to the problem.
Materials:
Problem cards.
Symbol cards (×, =).
Real-Life Examples:
Activity: Use real-world scenarios (e.g., calculating total cost of items) to practice using multiplication symbols.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Doubling Game:
Activity: Provide numbers and ask participants to double them using manipulatives or mental math.
Materials:
Number cards.
Small objects (e.g., counters).
Real-Life Doubling:
Activity: Use examples like doubling recipes or quantities to practice multiplying by 2.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Zero Rule Practice:
Activity: Provide problems where participants multiply by 0 and discuss why the result is always 0.
Materials:
Problem cards.
Worksheets.
Identity Property of 1:
Activity: Provide problems where participants multiply by 1 and discuss why the result is the same number.
Materials:
Problem cards.
Worksheets.
Array Practice:
Activity: Use objects to create arrays for multiplication problems involving 3 and 4 (e.g., 3 × 4 = 12).
Materials:
Small objects.
Graph paper or mats.
Skip Counting:
Activity: Practice skip counting by 3's and 4's to reinforce multiplication concepts.
Materials:
Number line templates.
Markers.
Group Multiplication:
Activity: Group objects into sets of 3 and count the total to practice multiplying by 3.
Materials:
Small objects.
Worksheets.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Activity: Use examples like calculating total items in groups of 3 (e.g., 3 chairs per table) to practice multiplying by 3.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Flashcard Practice:
Activity: Use flashcards with multiplication problems involving 3 and 4 for quick practice.
Materials:
Flashcards.
Pens for recording answers.
Multiplication Bingo:
Activity: Create bingo cards with products of 3 and 4 multiplication problems. Call out problems, and participants mark the correct answers.
Materials:
Bingo cards.
Markers.
Here are 12 engaging hands-on activities to teach Multiplication Tables 5–9 to adults, along with materials for each topic:
Skip Counting by 5's:
Activity: Practice skip counting by 5's using a number line or counting objects grouped in 5's.
Materials:
Number line templates.
Small objects (e.g., buttons, blocks).
Real-Life Scenarios:
Activity: Use examples like calculating total fingers on hands (5 per hand) to practice multiplying by 5.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Array Practice:
Activity: Use objects to create arrays for multiplication problems involving 6 (e.g., 3 rows of 6 blocks for 3 × 6).
Materials:
Small objects.
Graph paper or mats.
Real-Life Multiplication:
Activity: Use examples like calculating total eggs in cartons (6 per row) to practice multiplying by 6.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Group Multiplication:
Activity: Group objects into sets of 7 and count the total to practice multiplying by 7.
Materials:
Small objects.
Worksheets.
Skip Counting by 7's:
Activity: Practice skip counting by 7's using a number line or counting objects.
Materials:
Number line templates.
Markers.
Doubling Strategy:
Activity: Teach participants to double a number three times to multiply by 8 (e.g., 2 × 8 = 2 doubled three times: 2 → 4 → 8 → 16).
Materials:
Worksheets with problems.
Pens.
Array Building:
Activity: Use objects to create arrays for multiplication problems involving 8.
Materials:
Small objects.
Graph paper or mats.
Finger Trick for 9's:
Activity: Teach participants the finger trick for multiplying by 9 (e.g., for 9 × 3, fold the third finger, leaving 2 fingers on the left and 7 on the right: 27).
Materials:
Visual aids for the finger trick.
Patterns in 9's:
Activity: Explore patterns in the 9's multiplication table (e.g., the digits of the products add up to 9: 9, 18, 27...).
Materials:
Worksheets with patterns.
Pens.
Mixed Multiplication Practice:
Activity: Combine all multiplication concepts (5–9 tables) into a single exercise. Participants solve a variety of problems.
Materials:
Mixed problem worksheets.
Small objects for visual aids.
Multiplication Bingo:
Activity: Create bingo cards with products of 5–9 multiplication problems. Call out problems, and participants mark the correct answers.
Materials:
Bingo cards.
Markers.
Here are 12 engaging hands-on activities to teach Multiplication to adults, focusing on multiplying bigger numbers, place value, and carrying, along with materials for each activity:
Array Building with Large Numbers:
Activity: Use objects like blocks or counters to create arrays for larger multiplication problems (e.g., 12 × 15).
Materials:
Blocks or counters.
Graph paper or mats.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Activity: Use examples like calculating total cost for bulk items to practice multiplying bigger numbers.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Place Value Multiplication:
Activity: Break down numbers into place values (e.g., tens and ones) and multiply each place value separately before combining the totals.
Materials:
Place value charts.
Number cards.
Pens and markers.
Expanded Form Multiplication:
Activity: Write numbers in expanded form (e.g., 34 = 30 + 4) and multiply each part separately.
Materials:
Worksheets with expanded form problems.
Pens.
Column Multiplication Practice:
Activity: Provide pairs of 2-digit numbers and ask participants to multiply them using column multiplication.
Materials:
Number cards with 2-digit numbers.
Worksheets for column multiplication.
Pens and markers.
Base-10 Block Multiplication:
Activity: Use base-10 blocks to represent 2-digit numbers. Participants multiply the blocks and count the total.
Materials:
Base-10 blocks (units, rods).
Worksheets for recording answers.
Step-by-Step Carrying:
Activity: Provide multiplication problems that require carrying. Guide participants through the steps of regrouping.
Materials:
Worksheets with carrying problems.
Pens and markers.
Carrying with Manipulatives:
Activity: Use manipulatives to represent numbers. Participants regroup when the product exceeds 10 or 100.
Materials:
Base-10 blocks or counters.
Sorting trays.
Two-Digit Multiplication Challenge:
Activity: Provide pairs of 2-digit numbers and ask participants to multiply them step by step using column multiplication.
Materials:
Number cards with 2-digit numbers.
Worksheets.
Pens and markers.
Real-Life Scenarios:
Activity: Use real-world examples (e.g., calculating area or total cost) to practice multiplying two 2-digit numbers.
Materials:
Scenario cards.
Worksheets.
Mixed Multiplication Practice:
Activity: Combine all multiplication concepts (bigger numbers, place value, carrying, 2-digit numbers) into a single exercise. Participants solve a variety of problems.
Materials:
Mixed problem worksheets.
Base-10 blocks or counters.
Multiplication Relay:
Activity: Divide participants into teams. Each team races to solve multiplication problems and write the answers on a board.
Materials:
Whiteboard or large paper.
Markers.
Problem cards.