You will learn
- Recall the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 tables.
- Recall the 6, 7, 8 and 9 tables with patterns.
- Use patterns to remember facts.
- Fill missing facts in a table.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Learn the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 tables first.
- Use patterns for 6, 7, 8 and 9.
- Swap the factors to halve the work.
- Fill the gaps in a table.
Words to know
A list of multiplication facts.
Something that repeats.
A number in a times table.
A number sentence you know.
1. Discover: fast facts
A trader multiplies quickly in her head. Which facts should you know by heart? What patterns can help you remember?
2. Understand: times tables
Patterns help:
- ×2 doubles. ×5 ends in 0 or 5. ×10 ends in 0.
- ×3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30.
- ×4: double the double. ×9: the tens digit goes up by 1 and the ones digit goes down: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90.
- 6 × 6 = 36; 7 × 8 = 56; 8 × 8 = 64.
Idea 1: Easy tables
2s, 5s and 10s follow clear patterns: 5s end in 0 or 5 and 10s end in 0. 3 × 9 = 27.
Idea 2: Use a known fact
4 × 6 = 24 because 6 × 4 = 24. For 6 × 7 = 42, remember 6 × 7 = 6 × 6 + 6 = 36 + 6.
Idea 3: Hard facts
8 × 8 = 64 and 9 × 9 = 81. For 9s, the digits of the product add up to 9.
Why learn the table? Fast facts make bigger calculations easier.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Three
3 × 9 = ?
- 3 groups of 9.
Answer: 27
Example 2 (We do it together): Swap
4 × 6 = ?
- 6 × 4 = 24.
Answer: 24
Example 3 (You try): Hard
6 × 7 = ?
Show the steps and answer
- 6 × 6 = 36, then add 6.
Answer: 42
Did you know?
In the 9 times table, the digits of each product add up to 9, like 63: 6 + 3 = 9.
Why this matters
Knowing times tables makes division, fractions and area easier.
4. Explore: table grid
Draw a 10 by 10 multiplication grid.
- Fill the 2, 5 and 10 rows.
- Fill the 3 and 4 rows.
- Fill the 9 row and check the digit pattern.
- Colour the facts you know best.
Think about it: what did you notice?
The 9 row: 9, 18, 27 … 90.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- I know ___ × ___ = ___.
- I use the fact ___ to find ___.
- The pattern is ___.
- The missing number is ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. 3 × 7?
21.
Question 2. 4 × 8?
32.
Question 3. 9 × 7?
63.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- 3 × 9
- 4 × 6
- 6 × 7
- 8 × 8
- 9 × 9
Level 2: Grow
- 3 × 6
- 4 × 7
- 8 × 9
Level 3: Stretch
- 6 × 8
- 7 × 9
- 5 × __ = 35
- Ama says 7 × 8 = 54. Check it.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: everyday mathematics
A box has 9 packets of 7 biscuits. How many biscuits?
Show a sample answer
63 biscuits.
Another one. A box holds 6 eggs. How many eggs are in 7 boxes?
Show a sample answer
7 × 6 = 42 eggs
7. Common mistakes
Fix: 6 × 7 = 42; 6 × 8 = 48.
Fix: Use a known fact and add or take away a group.
Fix: If you know 6 × 4 you know 4 × 6.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can recall the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 tables.
- I can recall the 6, 7, 8 and 9 tables.
- I can use patterns.
- I can fill in missing facts.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Use patterns.
- Know your facts.
- Fill the grid.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Multiplication properties. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- 3 × 9 = ? [1 mark]
- 4 × 6 = ? [1 mark]
- 6 × 7 = ? [1 mark]
- 8 × 8 = ? [1 mark]
- Kofi says 9 × 9 = 91. Is he right? Explain. [3 marks]
Total: 7 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 27 [1]
- 24 [1]
- 42 [1]
- 64 [1]
- No [1]. 9 × 9 = 81 [1]. The digits 8 + 1 add to 9 [1].
Score guide: 6 to 7 = secure. 5 to 5 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- 3 × 9
- 4 × 6
- 6 × 7
- 8 × 8
- 9 × 9
- 3 × 7 =
- 4 × 8 =
- 6 × 6 =
- 9 × 7 =
- 8 × 5 =
Homework
Practise one times table every day with a family member.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 9 | 27 | 2 |
| 4 × 6 | 24 | 2 |
| 6 × 7 | 42 | 2 |
| 8 × 8 | 64 | 2 |
| 9 × 9 | 81 | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 27; 2 24; 3 42; 4 64; 5 81.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 C, Challenge 2 C.
Extra worksheet answers (items 6 onward): 6 21; 7 32; 8 36; 9 63; 10 40.
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 27; 2 24; 3 42; 4 64; 5 81. Level 2: 1 18; 2 28; 3 72. Level 3: 1 48; 2 63; 3 7; 4 7 × 8 = 56, so she is wrong..
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Recall the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 tables | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Recall the 6, 7, 8 and 9 tables with patterns | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use patterns to remember facts | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Fill missing facts in a table | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Mixing up 6 × 7 and 6 × 8. 6 × 7 = 42; 6 × 8 = 48.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Skip count on a number line for each fact.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns the times tables up to 9 × 9 using patterns. You do not need to be good at mathematics to help.
- Practise one table a day with games.
- Ask: which fact helps you find this one?
- Use a times table grid.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: recall the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 tables; recall the 6, 7, 8 and 9 tables with patterns; use patterns to remember facts; fill missing facts in a table.
Prerequisite knowledge. Lessons 1 and 2; Grade 2 tables 2, 5 and 10.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). Draw a 10 by 10 multiplication grid. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Do I know this fact? Which known fact helps? What is the pattern?
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Mixing up 6 × 7 and 6 × 8. 6 × 7 = 42; 6 × 8 = 48.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 7-mark exam practice scheme, the 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Skip count on a number line for each fact. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (official site): Grade 3 » Operations & Algebraic Thinking; Grade 3 » Number & Operations in Base Ten. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core 3.OA.C.7 (fluency within 100); Cambridge Primary Mathematics Stage 3 (times tables). These sources informed the lesson.