Multiplication and division take center stage in third and fourth grade. Memorizing multiplication and division facts is imperative in order for your child to feel successful in math. In this case, a math fact is the result of any two numbers multiplied or divided together, up to 12 x 12. Math facts should be committed to memory by your math-learner for quick and easy recall.
Some children have a very difficult time memorizing their math facts and find it very boring or overwhelming. For this reason, your child might find number bonds to be a helpful tool, and a different way to think about memorizing her math facts. Number bonds are a mental picture of the relationship between a number and the parts that combine to make it. For example, in this number bond you can see all the facts related to 2, 5 and 10:
2 x 5 = 10
5 x 2 = 10
10 ÷ 2 = 5
10 ÷ 5 = 2
In this one, you can see all the facts related to 5, 7 and 45:
5 x 7 = 35
7 x 5 = 35
35 ÷ 5 = 7
35 ÷ 7 = 5
A common tool for your child to use when memorizing math facts is flashcards. The problem with flashcards is they don’t show the relationship between multiplication and division. So your child might feel that she needs to memorize her multiplication facts first and then memorize her division facts. What will really help her, is if she is learning and memorizing them together. With a number bond, she will visually “see” the connection between the three numbers and learn to bond those specific numbers together, allowing her to learn her multiplication and division facts at the same time.
Here is a helpful printable for your child to practice using multiplication and division number bonds!
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