Multiplication Facts vs. The Calculator

A very common complaint among math teachers is "students don't know their multiplication tables", a way too common complaint. I have tutored many students who struggle with the basic multiplication facts. Unfortunately, they usually struggle with addition and subtraction as well. And if they can't multiply, they surely can't divide.

I've tried a myriad of games, flashcards, and websites. Those help some. But the greatest tool I've found to help students with multiplication (and the rest of the whole number operations) is the calculator. By the time kids reach me in 7th grade, the stuff they really need to know...the stuff they need to have internalized...the stuff that separates the D and E student from the B student...is knowing those basic facts and how and when to use them.

Without knowing these facts, kids can't work any type of fraction problems, decimal problems, ratio problems, or percent problems. They have no sense whether their answers are right or wrong or even if they're close.

For me, that's when the calculator comes in. There's not a company or business in America where employees can't use calculators. Certainly by adulthood, it's much more important to know what to do with the calculator and how to use it than it is to have those basic facts memorized. In real life, the numbers just get too large.

I know those basic facts are key to student success. But some will always struggle with remembering 8 x 7 = 56 (or is it 54 or is it 58, because you are multiplying by 8). I'm not saying don't teach those facts over and over and over again. But for long term, lifetime success, it's equally and in some cases more important for students to know how to use a calculator and to use it correctly.

Good Luck To Me!!

My name is Keith Barnes and I teach middle school math, specifically 7th grade math, in Sturgis, Michigan. I have a beautiful wife who is also an educator. Our oldest son has graduated high school and is now working for Morgan Stanley, the investment company. Our oldest daughter just graduated high school this past spring and is enrolled at Manchester College. Our youngest daughter will be in 8th grade this fall.

I have taught over 20 years. I have taught both middle school and high school mathematics. I also teach part time at Glen Oaks Community College. I have a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics education and a master's degree in middle level education (one of the best things I ever did...second only to marrying my wife.)

This is my first foray into blogging. My goal is to write realistically about what goes on in a middle school mathematics classroom. I plan to write every day while the events are still fresh in my mind. I will write about what went right, what went wrong, why it went right, why it went wrong, what I will do differently next time...and anything else interesting.

It's middle school. It's always interesting.

This fall I teach Regular 7th grade math and Advanced 7th grade math. The Advanced class is new to me, so if anyone has any fantastic suggestions...I'm certainly willing to listen. I'm really excited about the start of the new year. But right now, I just plan to relax.

Have a great rest of the summer!