What are you assessing?

“I always allow all of my students access to a times table, I'm not assessing them on whether they know their multiplication facts, so it's only fair that students have access to a multiplication chart.”-- Fifth grade teacher in Iowa

Yes! This teacher gets it-- knowing what you are teaching and assessing is key to understanding which support systems are right to use. Having a times tables list (my favorite) or a multiplication chart gives kids the space to confirm their facts, focus on the new skill you’re teaching (division, LCM, GCF, etc)., and build their confidence through successful work. Making kids rely on memorized facts is like making them read phonetically when you're teaching main idea. It holds them back unnecessarily.

That’s why the Teacher’s Dyscalculia Toolbox starts with multiplication support. You can make your own by printing and laminating times tables lists for students to use. We also include laminated 1-100 charts that show the patterns of multiplying. Both of these methods support students with visual-spatial issues, pattern recognition deficiencies, learning disabilities, and those who need more time and practice to memorize multiplication.