Memorizing Multiplication Facts Starting With the Times 3 Facts

Dear Third Grade Families,

          An important part of the third grade math program involves memorizing the multiplication facts. Students have learned the x 0, x 1, and x 2 facts, and now it is our goal to memorize the x 3 facts.  We can do it!   

          We call the x 3 facts "Doubles Plus One More Set Facts" because students have learned that they can use a Double (x 2 fact) to solve a x 3 fact.  For example,  if I know that 2 x 8 equals 16, then I know that 3 x 8 is just one more set of 8, and 16 + 8 = 24. 

2 x 8 = 16, so

3 x 8 = 16 + 8 = 24.

          Please let me know if you have any questions about this multiplication strategy. It is a different way of learning multiplication facts than the way that many of us learned growing up, but the strategies make sense.  The goal is to use known facts to solve unknown facts.  

          Please help your child to practice the x 3 facts this week.  Review the     x 0, x 1, and x 2 facts, too!

                                                                   

Sincerely,

Keelin M. Simpson