This free St. Patrick’s Multiplication Activity is just what your need for solid facts practice mixed with coloring fun! Perfect for your 3rd grade math classroom.
Is your classroom like mine? The closer we get to Spring Break, the harder it is for the kids to focus? It seems like we’re practically doing backflips to try to keep our students engaged, but try as we might, some of those sweet kiddos start to daydream… and wiggle… and squirm… and raise their hand to ask how much longer it is until recess…
I found a solution that helps keep kids focused AND working on meaningful math. Psssst, it involves coloring. Ok, ok, I’ll admit, I used to look at color by number pages as simple busy work. I didn’t have time for any extra “fluff” in our jam packed days leading up to state testing. Then I created a fun St. Patrick’s Day multiplication coloring activity that is focused on fact fluency practice. I use it as an early finisher activity, as well as a small group center. The kids are motivated because they LOVE to get their crayons out and they are focused on the targeted facts skills.
Providing Solid Math Practice with Coloring Fun
1. Using Learned Facts to Make a Pathway to New Facts
This page is organized so students can use facts they already know to help them make a pathway to new facts. For instance, let’s look at 2s, 4s and 8s. Learning the multiplication doubles facts is the best place for students to start because there is a clear path from addition (4 + 4 = 8) to multiplication (2 x 4 = 8). Once they’ve mastered their doubles, students can learn the 4s facts using the double the double method. If 2 x 4 = 8, we double 8 to get 16, so 4 x 4 = 16. Once kids are more comfortable with their 4s facts, they can use the double the double method again to learn their 8s facts. 4 x 4 = 16, then double 16 to get 32, so 8 x 4 = 32.
2. Showing Your Work Before Coloring
The first time I assigned a color by number page, some of my kids just colored. They recognized the picture, and what color most of the spaces should be, and colored without working the math. I wanted to make sure the math came first, so instead of just coloring, there is a white box with each equation for students to record the product before coloring.
3. built in comparison skills practice
When they have the answer to the multiplication problem, they will use place value comparison skills to find what color to use. This is one more way to sneak in some solid math practice mixed with coloring fun!
I hope this free St. Patrick’s multiplication page helps you to celebrate March! Remember, you are amazing and the job you do everyday makes such a big difference in this world!
