Hello Darlings!

I can’t speak for other grade levels, but in third grade, multiplication fluency is a biggie. 

In my third grade classroom, we are constantly working on multiplication strategies, multiplication activities, multiplication challenges, and more!

One of the best ways I have found to spark initiative, collect consistent data, teach students how to collect their own data, create goal-setting opportunities, and more is…

The Ice Cream Sundae Multiplication Challenge!!!

Steps to the Ice Cream Sundae Multiplication Challenge:

If you have not heard of this multiplication strategy for third, fourth, or fifth grades, let me walk you through the steps. 

After learning all the strategies for multiplication and division, we start to memorize facts and take quizzes on them twice a week.  

Here is the process to begin and complete the  Ice Cream Sundae Multiplication Challenge:

1. My third grade students arrive in my classroom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and immediately grab a multiplication fact quiz from our box.
2. They put their name on the back and set it aside until math class.  
3. During math class, students get 3 seconds to solve each problem.
4. I tell them to complete the multiplication problems they have memorized first, and then come back to any problems they have to figure out.  
5. When time is up, students grade their own multiplication worksheet by getting a laminated answer layover sheet from the test box. 
6. They must use a marker to grade. No pencils are allowed out. 
7. I have a big talk with them about honesty and how I trust them to grade their own papers.  
8. Once the multiplication problems are graded, they can only miss one to “pass” that test.  If they pass, they get to color in the ice cream scoop for that fact. 
9.  If they don’t pass, they make a flashcard to take home to study.  Here is a video of how to make paper saving flashcards.
10. Then, they take the test the next testing day.  

How we make it happen:

We work on the Ice Cream Sundae Multiplication Challenge from January to March. Then, on the Friday before Spring Break, we have an ice cream sundae party!

I set up a digital sign-up for parents to send in toppings, spoons, and bowls.  Students bring their Multiplication Sundae “ticket” that day and that determines how many toppings they get.

You can make it happen with these FREE resources:

If you are interested in having a fun, interactive Ice Cream Sundae Multiplication Challenge with your upper elementary students, check out these free quizzes and multiplication sundae ticket in my FREE resource library for those who subscribe to my newsletter. 

Do you have any fun, interactive multiplication or division strategies, games, or challenges? I would love to hear about your engaging multiplication or division activities!