Making Camp Ojibwe: Multiplication Practice

Teaching multiplication is part of teaching number sense.

If you teach math from grades 3 to 5, you are well aware of how essential it is that students learn multiplication and division basics.

Of course, math shouldn’t be all about rote memorization. However, if you believe it is a waste of time for students to memorize 9 x 7 = 63 you came to the wrong place.

Yes, understanding is important. Of course, number sense is important. Students need facts to reason from.

Practice math with Making Camp Ojibwe

Why play Making Camp Ojibwe?
Our math game is free and comes with multiplication games. Intended for grades 3 to 5, players can access the game using Chromebook, Mac or Windows computers over the web. It’s also downloadable on iPad, iPhone or Android devices.

Log into Making Camp Ojibwe with usernames and passwords. Students can make up their own usernames and passwords or you can assign them.

Note: Any username that hasn’t been used is fine as long as it doesn’t have spaces or special characters. If the username already exists, try another one.

Teacher Tip: Record all student usernames and passwords

Students will forget these. If you are that super-prepared teacher, you probably already printed out labels with usernames and passwords and stuck them on each student’s math folder. You people are amazing. (I have my lists stored my Notes app on my iPad because guess who forgot about the labels?)

The first time you play, you’ll watch a video that explains the game and how to play. You’ll also learn some Ojibwe history. Each successful activity completed earns you points that you can trade to outfit your new wigwam.

• Click the green NUMBERS icon from the first screen in-game to view the six activities below.
• Two of multiplication matching activities (the buffalo on the upper right and the bottom left icon) are the easiest. They are not timed and you don’t need to type in a number. Just click on the matching answers. Get 4 matches for one point.

Five multiplication games

Memory card game

The top left box is a timed memory card game where students match a number value on a card, say 45, with an equation, like 9 x 5.

The Multiplication Dog

The Multiplication Dog is popular with students. Students enter the correct answers to earn ownership of a dog.

With each correct answer, they can get their dog a bone, water, and a cozy bed. (Note: Students have requested more items for their dogs. It’s on our list.)

Tic-tac-toe Multiplication

The bottom right box is a tic-tac-toe game where each correct answer snares a rabbit. Students have to type in the correct answer.
Playing these games, students will answer 20 or more math problems. The questions are randomly generated, so they can play over again for more practice.
Extra bonus: Students learn about Ojibwe history and culture.

Easy multiplication tables

Practice multiplication tables by either clicking the buffalo icon on the upper right or the bottom left icon with the pictures. They are easiest because they’re not timed. Students don’t need to type in a number. Just click on the matching answers. Get 4 matches for one point.

Working ahead

The middle box on the bottom is a division problem activity.
Students who have already mastered multiplication can jump ahead to that.