Review: Math Made Easy Multiplication Package

Earlier this summer I was sent a copy of Multiplication Teaching and Learning Made Easy, to review.  This 6 week program to master basic multiplication and multiplication fact memorization was created by Glenda Brown James, and sells for $25.

At first glance the product doesn't look like much!  It simply consists of a spiral bound book, which is 72 pages long.  I was pleasantly surprised, upon closer inspection, to find that despite the small package the program looks big on results.  The 72 pages include an introduction to the method, lesson plans, 6 weeks of work sheets, games/flashcards/results "tracker" on card stock, and pre and post tests for your child.

Glenda's premise is simple: learning multiplication facts doesn't need to be a long drawn out process involving the rote memorization of your 0x0 up to 10x10 facts.  How to simplify it into a 6 week process?  First of all you cover the 0's, 1's, and 10's facts.  They don't really require memorization because they are so simple.  Then you discuss the commutative property of multiplication - which simply states that it doesn't matter if you say 8x9 or 9x8, the answer will be the same!  It's a simple fact that we remember as adults, but that doesn't necessarily "click" right away with a child.

When you take into account the above information, you are able to pare down the list of facts necessary to memorize to 36.  The author breaks these facts out into 6 weeks, and provides daily activity pages, flash cards, and drill games to help make the learning process more fun.

What I like:

• The author writes in simple language that's easy to understand.
• A variety of types of problems are provided in the worksheets, to ensure a good grasp on the basic principle of multiplication.
• The program stresses the important of memorization, and not addition in your head (what's 2x4? 2+2+2+2....).  Memorization is so much quicker, and mastery of these facts is an essential building block to higher level math ease!
• It's quick and easy to use.

What I don't love:

• The product layout is not very clearly organized and labeled.  It took me a little time to find the different items mentioned in the lessons, due to the somewhat random (in my opinion!) ordering.
• One of the activities in the back (a tracking "chart") completely lacks instructions.  I figured out what to do with it, but not without some extra thinking and time.

Overall...

Although I wouldn't use this as a core part of my math curriculum, I think it makes for a fun supplement.  If you have kids that need help mastering their times tables this would be a good option to consider!  It's also nice that the copyright clearly gives you permission to copy the materials for your own use - so you can use it with multiple children in your family.

If you're interested in checking this product out yourself, it can be purchased here.  It is designed for 3rd and 4th grades but, of course, that is simply the suggested target audience.  I've enjoyed looking at it with my 6 year old and think it's something my 5 year olds could handle later this year.  The author of this program also has an addition program, if you would like to read reviews about it (and other reviews about the multiplication product) go here:

I was provided with this product to review free of charge.  That being said, all opinions expressed are 100% mine.