Use flash cards to drill the students on the multiples of 3 and 4. You can make your own flash cards using index cards. Or you can purchase a deck of flash cards and set aside the ones that do not have 3 or 4 in the equation. This is a classic method of learning multiplication. The strategy focuses on repetition to help the student memorize multiplication facts.
Purchase a pictorial multiplication book. These books use pictures and stories to help children remember their multiplication facts. This type of strategy can work especially well for visually oriented students.
Create multiplication worksheets that feature each of the following multiplication problems:
3 x 0 =
3 x 1 =
3 x 2 =
3 x 3 =
3 x 4 =
3 x 5 =
3 x 6 =
3 x 7 =
3 x 8 =
3 x 9 =
3 x 10 =
3 x 11 =
3 x 12 =
4 x 0 =
4 x 1 =
4 x 2 =
4 x 3 =
4 x 4 =
4 x 5 =
4 x 6 =
4 x 7 =
4 x 8 =
4 x 9 =
4 x 10 =
4 x 11 =
4 x 12 =
On the first worksheet, leave the equations in order (as outlined above). This will allow the student to practices counting by threes and by fours in order to solve the problems. Use a stop watch to time the students as they do the worksheet. Add five additional seconds to the students' overall time for every incorrect answer on the worksheet. Encourage them to try to beat their own time the next time they do the worksheet. Once the student appears to have this first worksheet mastered, create another worksheet where the equations are out of order. Again time the students as they do the worksheet and keep encouraging them to try to best their time. This is another strategy that focuses on repetition but also presents a personal challenge.
Draw a table with five column and five rows. In the very center square (third column, third row) write “Free Space.” Fill each of the other squares with numbers that serve as the first 12 factors of 3 and 4 (0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 36, 40 and 44). You’ll have to repeat 3 numbers. Place your flash cards from Step 1 in a paper bag. Play math BINGO with the students by pulling out a single flash card from the bag and reading the equation. The student can cross out the number on their BINGO board that corresponds to the answer of the equation. The first one to get five in a row crossed out horizontally, vertically or diagonally on their board wins the game.