How to Memorize Multiplication Facts DIVE + Saxon Math Courses

Memorizing is a developmental skill. Like learning to walk, you can't force it. However, you should continue working to memorize these facts for 10 minutes per day.  See the instructions for your student’s course below: 

Saxon 5/4 and 6/5 Students: It is not uncommon for these students to struggle with memorizing multiplication facts. That’s okay. Have your student work on memorizing facts 10 minutes per day using an app or flashcards, etc. Until the student has memorized these facts, let them use a multiplication chart while working on the Lesson Practice, Mixed Practice, and Tests. 

Saxon 7/6 Students: Unless the student has a learning disability, they should be able to memorize multiplication facts to at least 9. If they have not memorized them follow the steps below to study until mastered. Students must master these facts before starting 8/7. Until the student has memorized these facts, let them use a multiplication chart while working on the Lesson Practice, Mixed Practice, and Tests.

Saxon 8/7 Students: Memorization* of multiplication facts to a minimum of 9 is essential to learning the concepts in Saxon Math 8/7. If your student can not complete the Multiplication Mastery Test in five minutes or so, place the Saxon course on hold and complete the steps below.  If after a couple of weeks, this is not working, consider switching to Saxon 7/6, 4th Edition.  Need help? Contact us here.

Saxon 8/7 Students: How to Memorize Multiplication Facts

   Do this several times per day for 10 minutes each with a break of at least 1 hour.

• Pray for your student. Be patient. 
• Make flashcards for only the facts he does not know.
• Select 5 cards, not in order, and work on memorizing those. 
• Don't say the fact, just let him look at it on the flashcard. If he can't say it in 3 seconds, tell him the answer and have him say it aloud. 
• No counting fingers, skip counting, or  tricks.  Be patient!
• After he has those five memorized well, add two new ones and review the original five. 
• Do these for several days. Once he has those memorized well, add two more. 
• Continue this method until all facts are correctly recited in 3 seconds or so. 
• Start Saxon lessons but continue reviewing flashcards for about  three weeks.  

Tips:

• Give the student some clay or something to roll around in his hands. 
• Offer short and long-term rewards - memorize 10 - get x, memorize 20 = get y, memorize all - big reward. 

Once the facts have been memorized fairly well, start with DIVE + Saxon Math 8/7, 3rd Edition and continue reviewing the flashcards every day for 10 minutes or so until he can do them all quickly and accurately.  When he is doing the Saxon homework, tests, drills, etc in lessons 1-30, give him a multiplication chart. After lesson 30, he should not need a multiplication chart. 

Don't use the 1st Edition of Saxon Math 8/7. Sell that and buy the third. You can usually purchase it used but make sure you get all 3 pieces as shown on our website. Purchase the DIVE video lectures (not used) and follow the instructions on our Teacher Guide. Once he completes 87, which is pre-algebra, he is ready to start Shormann Interactive Algebra 1. Read this article: What do you recommend for Pre-Algebra?