Multiplication Using Charlotte Mason Methods

For personal home schoolroom use only. Permission must be granted by the author for any other usage.

Presented as an extension to addition first by using small numbers.

Introduce multiplication with a view of giving children the idea of what “times” indicates.
Introduce the symbol “×” as a short way to write the meaning “multiplied by” or “each quantity taken a number of times.”
Work simple questions on a small dry erase or chalk board using “×” sign using easy numbers that don’t require knowledge of the multiplication table.
Using everyday objects, each child constructs a multiplication table —providing a tangible way to grasp its rationale while also reinforcing the idea of multiplication as repeated addition.
Once the child has an idea of what “times” indicates, written tables are begun. You construct a written table to work with first then,
1. With assistance, each student constructs a multiplication table for themselves.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
4	8	12	16	20	24	28	32	36	40	44	48

1. The table is looked at for some time and visualized.
2. The table is then said through several times.
3. Erase several figures in the table and allow the child to fill it in again.
4. The table is repeated through as before.

Each multiplication table is learnt by heart –though not always parroted in consecutive order.
As each table is mastered, examples and problems involving its use are given together with review problems from previous tables learnt.
Beginning with interesting questions and money questions.
Proceeding to pure number
Division is learned at the same time by wording such as, “How many fours are in 24”, etc.
After each table is learned, even larger numbers are multiplied using the number just learned as the multiplier.
Multiplication by 10’s, 100’s, 1000’s introduced as multiplication of the number then adding on the appropriate amount of 0’s.

References

Baburina, R. (2012). Mathematics: An Instrument for Living Teaching. Simply Charlotte Mason.

Mason, C. M. (1925). Home Education (Charlotte Mason Research & Supply ed., Vol. 1). London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. Ltd.

Stephens, Irene. (1911) The Teaching of Mathematics in the United Kingdom Being a Series of Papers Prepared for the International Commission on the Teaching of Mathematics.” London: Wyman & Sons, 1911. No. 11, pp. A2-19. Print. Gutman Library Special Collections.