There are some tables that are really tough to learn – particularly the 6, 7 and 8 times tables.  There are a couple of stories and strategies, I’ve picked up along my travels that I have found working with some children.

My favourite, by far, is eight multiplied by seven can be remembered with this cool number sentence: 56 = 7 x 8.  I love it – 5, 6, 7 then 8!

There is a famous American football team called the 49ers.  I call the 7×7 table, the American Football Table and I draw a picture of an American Footballer with a number 7 shirt to help kids remember.

6×7 is the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy table.  I read the chapter from Douglas Adams’ cult book when the human race builds a computer, which has to solve the meaning of life.  The answer is 42.  Great for integration with English!

8×8 can be integrated with Paul McCartney’s composition, “When I’m 64″ or better yet with a chessboard, which has 64 squares.

IF you teach tables in the order: 0, 1, 2, 10, 5, 9, 3, 4, 8, 6, 7, that only leaves the following table to learn off by heart: 6×8 (or 8×6).  I’ve yet to think of a way of remembering this – though there are 48 hours in two days…there must be something better than that though.

Maths multiplication