Episode 213 - Seeing Multiplication - How Subitizing Builds Fact Fluency Through Relationships

The Build Math Minds Podcast

Are your students still counting on their fingers for 6×4? Transform how you teach multiplication facts with this game-changing approach to subitizing!

In this episode, you'll discover how to move beyond the exhausting "times tables treadmill" that forces students to memorize 100 disconnected facts. Instead, learn how subitizing—the ability to instantly recognize quantities without counting—can help your students see multiplication as beautiful, connected relationships.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional fact memorization fails (and what works better)

• The 4 Types of Multiplication Facts that create a foundation for all others

• How to use ten frames and visual arrays to make multiplication facts "subitizable"

• Three classroom-ready strategies you can implement tomorrow

• How to help students see that facts, like 7×6, aren't random facts to memorize, but are connected to facts they already know (like 5×6 or 7×5)

This episode walks you through the visual progression from scattered groups to organized arrays, showing you exactly how to use color-coding and strategic groupings to make even challenging facts like 8×7 accessible through relationships. You'll also see how all eight foundational number sense concepts work together to build true multiplicative thinking.

Stop asking your students to memorize 100 isolated facts. Start helping them see the patterns, understand the relationships, and actually enjoy learning multiplication. Your students (and their fluency) will thank you!

Includes link to Christina's color-coded multiplication chart to support visual learning in your classroom.

Get any resources/links mentioned in this episode at BuildMathMinds.com/213