The aim is to teach children their multiplication tables by visual
repetition and at the same time to introduce the game spirit, thus
to increase the interest and to prolong the period of effort without
fatigue.
The child can work with these cards himself and thus by self
instruction can learn this most difficult lesson of Arithmetic, and
without any possibility of error, accuracy is insured.
The equipment consists of a series of eleven pieces of cardboard about
2×6 inches on which are printed in large black numbers the tables
without the answers.
A series of ten odd shaped cards is then made and the digits printed on
them in bright red. The following are the suggested shapes for the ten
digit cards.
[Illustration]
(Digit cards should not exceed one and one half inches in height.)
The digit cards which are the correct answer to the table printed on
the larger cards are then laid in the correct position and the shapes
marked out. With a sharp knife cut out the shapes a trifle larger than
the marked size of the digit card. The result is a card as illustrated,
with the table and two holes of irregular shape into which the digit
cards with the correct answer in bright red will fit. No other card but
the correct one can be put into this opening, there is never any danger
of the child seeing a wrong answer to the table.
[Illustration]
The only cards which can be fitted into this table are the two and the
cipher making the correct answer 20. This card with the black 4×5= and
the bright red answer 20 will make a strong impression upon the brain
of the child, and by use of the strongest sense, that of sight. At the
same time he can repeat the table audibly and gain the added advantage
of the ear impression.
Give the child only one set at a time so that he learns one table
thoroughly. When he has learned it, mix the cards and place them one at
a time in front of the child and see how many correct answers he can
give without fitting the cards. In cases where there is hesitation have
him fit the digit cards and make sure. See to it that he is accurate
and certain.
After one table is well mastered make a similar set of cards for the
next table. If you do not wish to take time to cut out the irregular
shaped holes for the digit cards, the place can be blackened and the
digit cards laid carefully on. The cut outs are far better and well
worth the little effort necessary to make them.
For the tables up to 12's you will need the following number of digit
cards; with these you will be able to work out any complete table of
eleven cards. 10--1's; 8--2's; 6--3's; 6--4's; 10--5's; 4--6's; 4--7's;
5--8's; 4--9's; 16--0's.
After the child has learned two or three of the tables mix the cards,
take any six and see how quickly he can fit the correct digit cards
into place.
Keep him playing with these cards until he can give the correct answer
to any question and give the correct table as a whole. After the tables
have been learned you can make many tests of speed and competitive
games with several children of the same age or school grade.