My Homeschool Student is in High School but does not know the multiplication tables...what do I do?

In the Pre-Algebra class it is not uncommon to have a student that does not know the multiplication tables. This really is not a problem. At the beginning of the year, I e-mail each student a copy of the multiplication tables as well as post a copy in the document sharing folder for the class. I ask these students to use the multiplication table like a calculator. (No calculators are allowed the first half of the course.) They may use the table to do homework as well as during exams. It is okay because by the time they finish the course, they will indeed have all of the multiplication tables memorized just because they have used them on a daily basis! It works!

Better yet, let your younger students do the same if they are struggling to memorize them. If the student understands the concept of how to calculate a multiplication, then allowing them to use the tables simply speeds up their homework which makes for happier students and parents. It also reduces the stress commonly associated with math. The faster the student can accomplish their daily homework with low stress, the more learning happens...which equals learning the multiplication tables! A WIN WIN situation!