Triangular Flash Cards for Multiplication Facts
Trend and ETA/Cuisinaire have these cards ready-made, however students can make their own using old manila folders.
Give students a stack of old manila folders or index cards and have them cut out equilateral triangles that measure roughly 2 or 3 inches on each side. Round the corners to keep them from becoming dog-eared.
In the corners of the cards, students write a multiplication/division family with the factors on the bottom two corners and the product on the top. Examples would be:
Once students create their own triangular flash cards, they can practice solving for the missing number in the fact family. For example, the top left card above would represent the number sentences:
3 x 4 = 12
4 x 3 = 12
12 ÷ 4 = 3
12 ÷ 3 = 4
The students can work in pairs or alone. They cover one number and, using the two other numbers, state the covered number. They then state the four facts (2 multiplication and 2 division) that are true for the 3 numbers in the triangle fact family
This reinforces not only multiplication facts, but also the fact that multiplication and division are inverse operations. When students construct their own triangular flash cards, they reinforce their understanding and learning. They also have ownership of their cards.
Adapted from Math Strategies You Can Count On by Char Forsten