Ready…Set…Hike! It’s the Multiplication Megabowl! Encourage your students to hit the practice field for some multiplication fun. Here are a few ideas to get your students to master their multiplication facts. Let the games begin!
My students just started their multiplication unit. We will be focusing on learning those facts, not just memorizing, but manipulating the numbers so they can visualize them in an instant. To start, I create a bulletin board to track students progress and to fire them up. I started with the football field backdrop then added some fun borders. I love to layer them for a pop of color. I added 12 mini football popcorn boxes to help keep track of student progress. Each student has a football slap bracelet with their name on it. As they master each multiplication level they move up to the next box. This visual reminder will show them their progress and encourage them to master their facts. I test each Friday by giving them an opportunity to take a timed multiplication test. Once they score 100% they move to the next level. A colorful banner and mylar balloons are the perfect addition to add some color and spirit to our Multiplication Megabowl Board. During our daily math time students rotate through several megabowl games. My students love these and can't wait for our megabowl games each day. Game One: Football Toss The football toss game is a fan favorite. Partners play 4 rounds before rotating to the next station. The first student tosses all 4 footballs onto the board. Once they all are in a net they multiply their scores. For example 3 bean bags in 5 pts 3 X 5 = 15. After 4 rounds they add up their scores then compare them to see which one is greater. Game Two: Football Field Arrays For this game students roll the dice to create a multiplication problem. They then use the football bouncing balls to create an array to solve the problem. This is a great way to encourage students to visualize the multiplication facts. Game Three: Touchdown! This football inflatable cooler is simply amazing. Not only is it a great way to store all of our megabowl games when not in use but it also offers a great portable fun playing field for some finger football fun. You can use paper folded "footballs," bean bag footballs or these cute football bouncing balls. Students take turns trying to make a goal. Each goal is worth 7 pts (extra point included). They keep track on their dry erase paddle boards. This is such a fun way to teach the 7 times tables! The students are having so much fun scoring their touchdowns they don't even realize they are learning. Game Four: Stacking Cups All you need for this game are some football plastic cups and multiplication flash cards. It can be played with 2 or more players. Each team takes turns with the multiplication flash cards, alternating giving the answer. If they get it correct they get a cup, at the end of the flash cards whoever can build the biggest tower (has the most cups) wins! This is a fun one as the kids just can't wait to build those cup towers. At the end of our unit the trophies are passed out. Once a student has mastered all facts up to 12 they have earned their Multiplication Megabowl trophy. I have found this is an engaging way to practice multiplication facts and have a little fun while learning. Encourage your students to get in the game with a Multiplication Megabowl!
