Triangle flashcards are the best because they can be used in either “multiplication mode” or “division mode.” A set can be purchased for not too much money from several different places, but you can also make your own and custom-design them any way you like. I prefer to use several colors of construction paper, and make each set of numbers their own color. By set of numbers, I mean all of the twos multiplication/division fact cards might be yellow, and all of the threes fact cards might be orange, and so on. This makes it easier to find a group of cards after a messy practice session and it’s also fun to make a progressive rainbow-looking set.
It will work well if you keep a consistent pattern. In the examples below you see that the threes set has a 3 on the bottom left corner of each card. The number it is being multiplied by is on the bottom right. The answer is on the top. So then, when studying, the student can cover the top corner of the stack to practice and self-check immediately for multiplication mode, “Three times seven is….” Then, the student can cover up the bottom right corner of the given stack to study in division mode, “Twenty-seven divided by three is…”
There are some important aspects of working toward memorization mastery to keep in mind for ultimate success.
- Studies show that we learn information best by integrating all three modalities of visual, auditory, and tactile. There is greater synapse connection (activity) in our brains when we work this way. Using these flashcards with our hands, while looking at them, and vocalizing our process out loud (even if done quietly with subvocalizing) really will help move the process along.
- It is also true that we can master smaller chunks of information more rapidly. Consistent practice is part of this as well. So, it is far more productive to practice one number group at a time. Start with the twos. If these seem overwhelming for a particular student, break it down into only half of the set at once, or a third. Continue rehearsing daily (for a 5-10 minute session at a time) with that same set until mastery is achieved. Going back to review “mastered” facts from time to time might also be necessary.
- After a full number set has been mastered, you can use the facts table below to color in the row/column of the sets that have been mastered. Here is another way the color-coding of cards comes in handy: the matching card set color can also be used to color in the progress chart. It can be very motivating to see the little squares get colored in over time, and notice fewer and fewer facts that are still left to be memorized. Here’s an example of a partially completed progress chart:
In my store, I have a free printable copy of this guide, which also includes a simple full sized fact table that can be copied and printed to use as a coloring progress chart. In addition to that, there is a triangle card template which is a nice size to fit in a legal sized envelope for storage.
