Multiplication Mastery
Build fluency with multiplication facts through progressive practice aligned with Common Core standards.
Path Steps
Skip Counting
Start hereBuild foundation with skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
Why the path starts here
Skip counting is multiplication before it has a name: counting 5, 10, 15 is finding 3 × 5. Starting here gives every later times table a counting backup the child can fall back on.
Sets up: Equal Groups
Skills in this step
- Skip count by 2s to 30
- Recognize even numbers
- Connect skip counting to addition
Fill in the missing numbers
- This is a counting pattern — each number changes by the same amount.
- The numbers go up by 2 each time (skip counting by 2).
- Add 2 to fill each blank. The missing numbers: 10, 18, 20.
Answer: 10, 18, 20
Equal Groups
Understand multiplication as equal groups.
Why this step comes next
Next the counting gets a picture: 4 bags with 3 apples in each. Equal groups are what the × sign means, so a child who understands them can rebuild any fact she has forgotten.
Sets up: Arrays
There are 4 nests. Each nest has 3 eggs. How many eggs are there in all?
- There are 4 nests with 3 eggs in each nest. Every nest has the same number, so these are equal groups.
- Add 3 for each nest (skip count by 3: 3, 6, 9, 12): 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.
- Adding equal groups is multiplying: 4 × 3 = 12.
- There are 12 eggs in all.
Answer: 12
Arrays
Visualize multiplication using arrays.
Why this step comes next
An array lines equal groups up in rows and columns. It shows why 3 × 4 and 4 × 3 give the same answer, which roughly halves the number of facts to learn before the tables begin.
Sets up: Times Tables: 2s, 5s, 10s
5 × 5 = ?
- Think of 5 groups of 5.
- 5 × 5 = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5
- Skip count by 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
- The 5th number is 25.
- 5s trick: 5 × 5 = half of 5 × 10 = half of 50 = 25
Answer: 25
Times Tables: 2s, 5s, 10s
Master the foundational times tables.
Why this step comes next
These three tables come first because they match the skip counts from step 1, so the answers are already known in order. The new work is recalling them out of order.
Sets up: Times Tables: 3s, 4s, 6s
9 × 2 = ?
- Think of 9 groups of 2.
- Skip count by 2: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18
- The 9th number is 18.
- 2s trick: Just double the number!
Answer: 18
Times Tables: 3s, 4s, 6s
Expand to more challenging tables.
Why this step comes next
The 4s and 6s can be built by doubling easier facts: 4 × 7 is double 2 × 7, and 6 × 7 is double 3 × 7. Learning them after the 2s and 5s lets the child work out a fact she has not memorised yet.
Sets up: Times Tables: 7s, 8s, 9s
Skills in this step
- Memorize 3s times table
- Memorize 4s times table
- Use doubling strategy for 4s
7 × 3 = ?
- Think of 7 groups of 3.
- Skip count by 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21
- The 7th number is 21.
Answer: 21
Times Tables: 7s, 8s, 9s
Complete times tables mastery.
Why this step comes next
By now most of the 7s, 8s and 9s are already known from other tables (7 × 4 is 4 × 7), which leaves only a handful of new facts. The step ends with a mixed drill across every table.
Skills in this step
- Memorize 6s times table
- Memorize 7s times table
- Use known facts to find unknown facts
3 × 7 = ?
- Think of 3 groups of 7.
- 3 × 7 = 7 + 7 + 7
- Skip count by 7: 7, 14, 21
- The 3rd number is 21.
Answer: 21