Handmade Multiplication Chart
With my oldest daughter working on solidifying her multiplication facts and my youngest daughter just touching on them and very intrigued by the process, we decided to take on a project that not only helped them to practice their facts, but fostered their understanding of the concept behind multiplication.
We started out by cutting a piece of canvas that we purchased at the local hardware store. We purchased the 4 x12 size so that we only needed to cut one side. We have plenty left for other projects—maybe a 100s chart next? Using our 4×4 piece of canvas, I used a tape measure to map out a 13 x 13 table in pencil. The girls wrote out all the numbers in pencil as well. It was great practice figuring out what numbers went where. They had fun counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, and so on. It really brought the concept home to them that multiplication is basically repeated addition.
Next, we brought the multiplication party outside and painted over the lines and numbers. We used washable tempera paints.
The girls were really glad that they had written the numbers out first. That way they could enjoy the painting process…
It was really satisfying to display the finished piece. We proudly hung it in our family room and it has already come in handy on a number (no pun intended) of occasions!
Multiplication Resources…
- For more fun, hands-on multiplication projects, I highly recommend the resource book, Lessons for Introducing Multiplication by Marilyn Burns.
- Online Multiplication Practice – Khan Academy
- Printable Multiplication Chart
- Printable (Blank) Multiplication Chart
Schoolhouse Rock Classics: Multiplication Rock (Numbers 0-12)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n00y9AHvNNI
Introduction to Multiplication by Khan Academy
Mariah
@playfullearning
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Great idea and I love how it goes with the overall colors scheme of the room. Such a laid back vibe.
Hi Adrienn – Thank you… I was very pleased when the girls suggested black and green for the numbers!
I love this idea! I’ll have to remember this for next year when my son tackles multiplication. What a great project to work on together.
Thanks Laura! It was really fun and beneficial…
I’m so glad that our kids are the same ages! ;o)
The first video is banned in Canada(?) but the second one is fantastic! I think the kids will really enjoy it. Once my son figures out that multiplication is a FASTER way of adding he’ll be even more excited about it!
xoxo
~ joey ~
Hi Joey – I thought of you when we were doing this project because we spoke about multiplication earlier this year. It is a difficult concept to grasp at first, but fun (and useful) once it starts to click!
This is a great idea! and, I just inherited a roll of canvas! game on!
Perfect!