Spark Student Motivation: Memorizing Multiplication Facts

Let's get our students and each other motivated! Happy Saturday!

 

 I'm going to share how I motivate my students to memorize their multiplication facts! Our curriculum briefly touches on multiplication facts, but we all know how crucial it is for our students to memorize their facts! I try to explain to parents that the concepts just get harder each year and if they have to stop and count on their fingers every time they have to multiply then they will be slowed down or get frustrated.

As an incentive to my students to memorize their multiplication facts, I offer a multiplication graduation!

At Meet the Teacher, I give every student a multiplication ring to practice their multiplication facts in the car, at home, at the dinner table, outside, everywhere! They also get a plastic page protector with a practice test and dry eraser marker so they can practice at home over and over again.
They're excited to pick up these goodies and take them home to use!

Each student starts on their 2s and practices the level they're on.

I also send home a parent letter explaining my program and a door hanger for students to hang while practicing their facts to ensure they're not "disturbed". They love running home to use these door hangers! A parent sent me a picture of her daughter's door and said she couldn't wait to get home to hang her sign and study! (SCORE!)

 We take our timed tests everyday and students keep track of their progress on this multipurpose chart. (I have always used stickers and this year thought of using gems-so sparkly!)

 After they pass all of their facts, their picture will displayed on the graduation board.

As soon as one student graduates, it MOTIVATES everyone to study harder so they can graduate too!

They dress in my old cap & gown, I play Pomp and Circumstance, and they receive a diploma.

(It's very official!)

I sweetened the deal this year by offering 100 tickets for my weekly drawing to the first student who graduated! Second student will get 50 tickets and third will get 25 tickets.

I found this graduation hat on clearance this summer-I'm using it to collect congratulatory notes for each graduate as a keepsake! (I bought two-you will have a chance to win at the end of this post).

 

My multiplication timed tests aren't for a grade, but an incentive to get students to memorize their facts. I offer them a graduation up until winter break. After winter break, I don't have timed tests, hopefully encouraging them to start studying right away!

It's a just a couple of minutes a day and it really reinforces their memorization of their facts

AND it motivates them!

I have used this incentive since my for 17 years and have found it very successful and motivating and would like to give one away so you can motivate your students too! The graduation hat will be mailed!

 

ONE BIG WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

Multiplication Rings

Mastering Multiplication Incentive Program

Graduation Hat to Hold Notes

 

All you have to do is Pin to Win! Pin from my blog or TPT, copy the URL and paste in the comments. Winner will be announced tomorrow. Be sure to include your email if you're not a blogger.

 

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do or plan to do to get your students motivated or excited!

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Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!