Multiplication facts are "the capstone of elementary mathematics and the gateway to higher mathematics." (NRC 2001, p. 242)
If your middle school or upper elementary school student doesn't know their multiplication facts quickly and consistently, they need to be working on them. You can practice them together using traditional methods like flash cards or straight quizzing or there are more modern ways to do it. Whatever way you choose, try to judge your student's stress level. We don't want them to hate math and think it is all about boring memorizing, but they need to learn these facts. When the answers to straight multiplication or addition problems don't come to them quickly and easily, they have a much harder time working with fractions, percents, estimation, division, rate, and ratios. Although it seems monotonous, these facts are "gateways" for our students and it is important they work on them at home and now them.
Some popular ways to do this include games like:
An interactive set of flash cards students can use on their own
Sumoku
A game for 2 or more people that requires strong adding and multiplying skills
Or more technological ways using websites or iPhone/iPod/iPad apps listed below.
Apps
Flash Tables
Although this one isn't free (costs $0.99) I have heard great things about it for students who have a hard time concentrating on regular flash cards.
Websites
Although some of these games are lower tech, there are so many options that students won't get bored playing the same one over and over again.
Gamequarium has a ton of games as well. I particularly like Math Millionaire to practice multiplying larger multiples of 10.
I like Sketch's World a lot but make sure to have students choose the 3-12 group!
Math Brain has been my personal favorite for many years now. I enjoy the variation of games as well as the different level choices for a student's grade level.
*I will continue to add to these as I come across new and fun ways to practice these important facts.
