Teach Your Child the Multiplication Tables, Fast, Fun & Easy is an innovative workbook that teaches children to discover fun, easy number patterns for tables 1-10. Designed to be used to give children a head start in math or supplement classroom instruction, it can also be used as a primary or supplemental text in the classroom. Children with special needs also benefit from learning pattern recognition.
I sent my book to the President’s Math Advisory Council and received the following:
“The recognition of patterns is a creative way to have students develop understanding for the concept of multiplication. Pattern analysis should be part of the elementary study in mathematics as it is also viewed as foundational skills for algebraic reasoning.” Michael Kestner, Mathematics and Science Partnership Program, US Department of Education
Seeing my son, Scott, struggle to fill in pages of pages of rote drills (no different that those I had as a child) made me realize there HAD to be a better way! I saw a problem. What was the solution? As an English instructor at UCI, I had honed my teaching skills. I had learned to teach things better!
."How is it an English teacher wrote a math book?" is the question I'm most frequently asked. I found the answer in Tom Kelley's The Art of Innovation:
“Cross-pollinators see patterns and spot key differences. But they’ve also honed the skill of applying those subtle differences in new context. They think and often express themselves in metaphors, enabling them to see relationships that others miss. They’re matchmakers, creating unusual combinations that often spark innovative hybrids.”
As and English instructor, I looked for the “big picture” and then broke it down into parts. I discovered the “basket weave” ODD/EVEN pattern of the grid for Tables 1-10. I look for patterns in literature, why not in math? A math Ph.D. “explained” my book to me. Much of it is, in fact, based on number theory. He went on to say a math Ph.D. would never have written it. To me, these discoveries were exciting! Why can’t third graders experience some of the wonder math Ph.D.s experience? Why not bring the magic of math into the classroom?
In California, one of the main reasons students do not graduate from high school is failure to pass Alegebra I. One of the leading factors: failure to master the multiplication tables. In essence:
Mastery of Times Tables + Algebra I = High School Graduate!
Students who take Algebra II in high school are twice as likely to graduate from college.
Mastery of Times Tables + Algebra I + Algebra II = College Graduate!
There is a “throughline” we parents and educators can not overlook! I also believe a quality education is the civil rights issue of our time.
Inventor: Eugenia Francis
I was born and raised in Mexico City, the daughter of American ex-pats. I was always good in math but chose to study literature at Southern Methodist University. In the 80’s, I enrolled in a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature program at UCI. While there, I taught freshman composition. I also took classes in Creative Writing and currently have a novel under consideration by a literary agent.
I have a daughter who is married and homeschools her children. My son Scott recently married. Fifteen years after discovering my method of teaching the times tables, I decided to publish to help other families. Why did I wait to do this? I was too busy raising a family and teaching at UCI. Yet the idea would occasionally nag me. In 2004, I came across a folder containing these materials and decided to publish to help other families. Why not share my method with others? If more of us would do for other people’s children what we do for our own, the world would be a better place!
The first three years of elementary school are crucial. Parents have great influence on a child. By high school, it may be too late. Without the times tables, a child is doomed. He/she can not advance beyond 3rd grade math! Decimals, percentages, fractions and algebra are beyond their grasp. When parents see their child struggling with times tables, they need to step in and make sure children master these. That’s why I wrote my book. If 3rd graders knew how to read and knew their times tables, we would have competent high school students. Competent high school students succeed in college and in the workplace.
Innovation arises out of desperation! When I saw my son struggle learning the times tables through rote memorization, I knew there had to be a better way! I drew a grid for tables 1 -10 and saw that he easily filled in tables 1, 2, 5 and 10. These were the tables with fun, easy patterns. I asked myself: why not find fun, easy patterns for the rest to the tables? Day by day, Scott and I explored the “mysteries of the multiplication tables.” Out of the 100 multiples on the tables 1-10 grid, we discovered only 25 were odd. How ODD is that? Half of the numbers from 1-10 are odd and half are even. Shouldn’t 50% of the multiples be EVEN? We discovered that ODD x ODD = ODD whereas EVEN x ANY number whether ODD or EVEN is EVEN. With this rule, children can check their answers.
We also discovered that tables 2, 4, 6 & 8 end in some combination of 2-4-6-8-0 that repeats after 10, 20, 30 and 40. Patterns aid memory. It is not only difficult but highly inefficient to learn one math fact at a time. Learning a pattern makes sense especially for children with ADD/ADHD. Learning patterns is fun. Our brains are wired to search for patterns. Why not bring the magic of math into our third grade classrooms? My goal is to instill in children a love of numbers and fascination with math.
Anna says:
Nov 15, 2009 at 7:17 pm
This is fantastic! I can't wait until I get mine in the mail. For years I had to carry that disgusting bag. Finally, a solution!
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Marsha says:
Nov 15, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Great idea! I think this is already catching on in my area, where people like to take long walks along the shoreline. They're everywhere!
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Diane says:
Nov 15, 2009 at 4:28 pm
This is an incredibly practical invention. I walk with my neighbor and her yellow lab regularly. This will be the perfect gift for her. I know you will just love it!!!
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Denise says:
Nov 15, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Yes! Finally-a stylish product that allows you to take your dog for a walk and responsibly take care of the waste without having to carry around the "obvious". I know what I am going to give all on my Christmas list!
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Andrea Pimentel says:
Nov 15, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I have been using my poodunki for a few months now and I love it! I live in Chicago and you constantly see people walking around with their plastic bags to pick up after their dogs. It's really quite gross. I am no longer one of those people with the … more nasty bag in my hand and I can take care of my dog's business in a clean and discreet way. More people should use the poodunki!
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