Multiplication Chart Activities for Third Grade Students

A multiplication chart is an excellent tool for third-grade students to learn their multiplication facts. It is a great way for kids to learn and practice multiplication facts. 

Teachers can use a multiplication chart to transform the learning experience by turning the often daunting task of memorizing multiplication facts into engaging and interactive activities. 

In this post, we will explore the multiplication chart, discuss its benefits in the classroom, and provide a variety of fun and educational activities that teachers can use with their students. 

What is a Multiplication Chart?

A multiplication chart is a grid that shows the products of pairs of numbers. This visual tool allows students to see and understand the relationships between different multiplication facts quickly.

Should Teachers Use a 12×12 or a 10×10 Multiplication Chart? 

Typically, a multiplication chart includes numbers 1 through 12 across the top row and down the left column, with the grid cells filled with the products of these pairs. But other types of grids exist.

Have you ever considered using a 10×10 grid? 

I prefer a 10×10 grid for a few reasons.  

It’s simpler and easier for students to use. A 10×10 chart is less overwhelming for younger students just starting to learn multiplication. It allows them to focus on mastering the basics without being intimidated by larger numbers.

Using a 10×10 grid is also a good way to introduce the distributive property of multiplication.  For instance, students can learn 8×12 by breaking apart the second number into (8×10)+(8×2)

The choice between a 12×12 and a 10×10 multiplication chart often depends on the specific learning goals and the students’ grade levels. Both work well for any of the activities I’ve listed below.

Should Teachers and Students Use Multiplication Charts in the Classroom?

Multiplication charts can be a valuable resource in the classroom. They help students visualize multiplication patterns, reinforce memorization through repetition, and serve as a handy reference. 

While it’s important for students to memorize multiplication facts, using a chart can build their confidence and understanding as they work towards that goal.

While it’s a great tool for students who need extra support, a multiplication chart also helps students find patterns and develop their number sense.

Multiplication Chart Activities

Here are some engaging activities students can do with a multiplication chart:

1. Color Coding Patterns

Have the kids use different colors to highlight specific patterns in the multiplication chart. For example, they can color all multiples of a certain number to see the patterns in skip counting. This helps them visually understand the concept of multiplication.

If you print small versions of the multiplication chart so there are six on a page, students can color different patterns in each chart. They can cut them apart and create a flipbook of colored multiplication patterns.

After coloring a pattern, discuss what students notice in the colored numbers. Here are a few questions teachers can ask their students:

1. What do you notice about the numbers you colored?
2. Can you describe the pattern you see in the multiples of [number]?
3. How does the pattern change as the numbers get larger?
4. What happens when you skip count by [number]? How do the colored numbers help you see this?
5. What do you notice about the diagonal line of perfect squares?
6. Can you find any pairs of numbers that show the commutative property (e.g., 3×4 and 4×3)? What do you notice about their positions on the chart?
7. What pattern do you see in the multiples of 9? Can you explain why this pattern occurs?
8. How do the colored numbers change when you look at the tens place?
9. Are there any patterns you see that involve both the rows and the columns? What can you say about these patterns?
10. How can you use these patterns to help you solve multiplication problems more easily?
11. If you were to explain the pattern of [specific number] to someone who doesn’t know it, what would you say?
12. Compare the patterns of different numbers (e.g., multiples of 2 vs. multiples of 3). What similarities and differences do you see?
13. Predict the pattern for a new number, color it in, and check if your predictions were correct. What surprised you?

Here are a few ideas of patterns students can color: 

Multiples of Each Number

• Multiples of 2: Color all multiples of 2. This highlights the even numbers and shows a clear skip-counting pattern (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc.).
• Multiples of 3: Color all multiples of 3. This helps students see the pattern of skip-counting by threes (3, 6, 9, 12, etc.).
• Multiples of 4: Color all multiples of 4. This shows another skip-counting pattern (4, 8, 12, 16, etc.).
• Multiples of 5: Color all multiples of 5. This reveals the pattern of numbers ending in 0 or 5 (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.).
• Multiples of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: Continue this pattern for other numbers, helping students see how multiplication scales with larger factors.

Diagonal Patterns

• Perfect Squares: Color the diagonal from the top left to the bottom right. This diagonal line includes all the perfect squares (1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc.), showing the products of numbers multiplied by themselves.

Commutative Property of Multiplication

• Commutative Pairs: Color pairs that demonstrate the commutative property (e.g., 3×4 and 4×3). This helps students understand that the order of multiplication doesn’t affect the product.

Multiplication by 1 and 10

• Multiples of 1: Color all products involving 1 (1×1, 1×2, 1×3, etc.). This shows that any number multiplied by 1 remains the same.
• Multiples of 10: Color all multiples of 10. This emphasizes the pattern of numbers ending in zero (10, 20, 30, etc.).

Prime Numbers

• Prime Number Products: Identify and color the products that result from multiplying prime numbers (e.g., 2×3, 3×5, 5×7). This can help in understanding the concept of primes and their role in multiplication.

Patterns of 9

• Multiples of 9: Color all multiples of 9. Highlight the pattern where the digits of each product sum to 9 (9, 18, 27, 36, etc.).

Patterns in the Tens Place

• Tens Place Pattern: Color the numbers based on the tens place (e.g., 10-19, 20-29, etc.). This shows how multiplication affects the tens digit as numbers grow larger.

2. Create a Multiplication Chart Puzzle

Provide students with copies of the multiplication chart printed on various colored pieces of paper.  Have students cut up the charts into puzzle pieces. Exchange the puzzles and reassemble them. 

This activity not only reinforces multiplication facts but also encourages problem-solving skills.

Store the pieces in baggies and turn them into a math center! 

3. Finding Factors

Give the kids a number and ask them to find all pairs of numbers in the chart that multiply to make that number. This activity helps reinforce the concept of factors and encourages them to engage with the chart actively.

Simple Factors for this Activity

Here are some numbers with factors are simpler for third graders to find in the multiplication chart.

1. 12: 1×12, 2×6, 3×4
2. 18: 1×18, 2×9, 3×6
3. 24: 1×24, 2×12, 3×8, 4×6
4. 30: 1×30, 2×15, 3×10, 5×6
5. 36: 1×36, 2×18, 3×12, 4×9, 6×6

4. Timed Races

Challenge the kids to find as many products as possible in a set time. This can be done individually or in teams. It’s a fun way to encourage quick recall of multiplication facts.

Here are a few ideas for some timed races: 

• Individual Race: Find and write down as many products as possible from the multiplication chart within the set time.
• Team Race: Work as a team to find and write down multiplication products.
• Relay Timed Race: Each student in the relay takes a turn finding and writing down multiplication products in a large grid chart.
• Solo Speed Challenge: Complete a specific section of the multiplication chart as quickly as possible. Provide each student with a blank multiplication chart with specific sections to complete.

5. Fill in Missing Numbers

There are several ways to do this activity. One is to give students a blank multiplication chart and have them fill it out. 

You can also give students a multiplication chart with only some missing numbers. They must fill in the missing numbers, which makes them consider the numbers already present on the chart.

For either of these versions, you could give students a grid without the columns and rows labeled with numbers, where they only write the answers. This would help them see the area model of multiplication.

Alternatively, give students a grid where the rows and columns are not in numerical order.  While this does not reinforce the area model of multiplication, it could challenge your higher students to slow down instead of relying on a pattern.

6. Multiplication Jump

Create a large multiplication chart (or a section of the chart) on the blacktop using chalk on the pavement. 

Call out multiplication facts, and have children jump to the correct answer on the chart. This physical movement helps some children better retain the multiplication facts.

7. Multiplication Chart Grid Dice Game

For this game, provide students with a 10-sided or 12-sided dice. They can either use two dice or roll it twice.  Have students multiply the numbers rolled and fill in their chart.  

Students can race against each other, or teams of students can race against other teams.  

8. Progress Chart

Have students keep track of the multiplication facts that they have memorized. Students can color in the facts that they can solve quickly.

Reflect on the Multiplication Chart Activities

Whatever activities you choose to do, reflecting on them builds depth of thinking and encourages metacognition. Teachers and students can discuss which are the most engaging and effective and why. 

Incorporating these dynamic and hands-on approaches can transform how multiplication is taught and learned, making it a more enjoyable and effective experience for all.