Making Friends with Numbers
Let learning multiplication facts teach you math
A collection of work-sheets that gradually combine the discovery of patterns and thinking strategies with playful ways of learning, practicing and reviewing multiplication facts.
They keep a student interested and challenged
These skills are also useful later when dealing with fractions. Making Friends with Numbers is intended for classroom use where multiplication facts are introduced, and later for re-view purposes.
Ideal for home use by parents
This workbook helps children learn or review their facts in fun, challenging and varied ways.
“My 8-yo son absolutely LOVED it. He’d complain about all the rest of his school work, but he couldn’t wait to work in this each day. (In fact, I recently overhead him telling his younger sister that he wishes he could do it again!)”
“My 10 year old son LOVES this book. It’s a great supplement to the math we do and it’s more “fun” than some of the other things.”
“The best workbook ever created. Really helped my kids get away from skip counting. In only three weeks they have memorized multiplication facts and enjoy doing the sheets”
“My daughter has processing issues. She has always struggled with math. She is 12. She recently finished Making Friends with Numbers and loved it. It worked very well for her.”
“Teaches proficiency! It gave my son the proficiency to tackle much harder math later with ease.”
“It works! Numbers can be friends! Truly allowed my child to play with numbers and become friends with them, rather (than) sworn enemies. Much is self-checking.”
“This helped us sooo much! This book helped us when the songs and all the other tricks didn’t. We struggled with multiplication tables and this helped tremendously.”
This book is very helpful. . . In my son’s case, the workbook solidifies connections that have already been made and presents new ways to understand the relationships. We have been homeschooling 4-6th grade so far . . . Very worthy of a 5 star review from me. ~ Nancy Sorenson
5.0 out of 5 stars. A great tool for practice!
My daughter and I really enjoyed using this workbook this last school year. It has several creative ways to get to know numbers and their relationship. We will finish it this fall. ~ Homeworker
Excellent Resource for Learning Multiplication Through Games and Puzzles! Although I purchased this book from another source, I still felt it was worthy of a five-star review on Amazon. My 8-yo son absolutely LOVED it. He’d complain about all the rest of his school work, but he couldn’t wait to work in this each day. (In fact, I recently overhead him telling his younger sister that he wishes he could do it again!) We also used it along with the Life Of Fred elementary series. That combination prepared him for great success in the transition to Saxon 5/4 this past year. ~ O.A.
The Moving Words Review:
Edric Cane’s “Making Friends with Numbers” is a meticulously crafted educational resource that redefines how young learners approach multiplication. This workbook goes beyond rote memorization, fostering a positive relationship with numbers and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. By offering creative strategies, it transforms a potentially dull subject into an engaging, thought-provoking activity, helping students build a strong foundation in math.
One of the most significant achievements of “Making Friends with Numbers” is its ability to inspire enjoyment in learning math. Feedback from parents and educators consistently highlights how children not only engage with the workbook but also look forward to working through it. What sets this workbook apart is how it transforms a typically tedious task—learning multiplication facts—into an enjoyable learning experience. The material introduces math as a thinking process, and students themselves have expressed joy in discovering patterns, relationships, and connections within numbers, leading to a genuine affection for the subject. This effect, as noted in parent reviews, helps overcome the traditional barrier of math anxiety by replacing it with curiosity and excitement.
At the heart of the workbook is its focus on developing number sense. Rather than solely emphasizing the memorization of facts (e.g., 7 x 8 = 56), “Making Friends with Numbers” encourages students to understand numbers in terms of their relationships and factor pairs. Recognizing 56 as having 7 and 8 as factors, for example, builds a deeper comprehension of how numbers work together. This approach naturally transitions students into understanding more advanced concepts such as prime factors, Greatest Common Factors, and Least Common Multiples. By establishing this strong number sense early, students are well-prepared for future math topics, including fractions and algebra.
Cane’s workbook offers a wide variety of exercises that cater to different learning styles, ensuring that students engage with the material in ways that best suit their individual needs. The exercises range from oral practice to self-checking written tasks, all aimed at reinforcing mathematical thinking. The active participation of parents and teachers is encouraged, transforming math practice into a shared, exploratory experience. Students not only learn the “what” of math but also the “why,” which lays the groundwork for a long-term understanding of mathematical concepts.
The cumulative structure of the workbook allows students to reinforce previously learned concepts while continually progressing toward more challenging material. As children recognize their own progress, they gain confidence, which helps foster a positive relationship with the subject
"Making Friends with Numbers" is a standout resource for teaching multiplication and building foundational math skills. It offers a creative and engaging approach to math education that is both accessible and enjoyable for young learners. By focusing on developing number sense and mathematical thinking, the workbook helps students not only learn math but also appreciate it as an intellectual activity. The positive feedback from parents, who report that their children enjoy the process of learning through this workbook, speaks to its effectiveness. Edric Cane’s method prepares students for future success in math by fostering a genuine love for numbers and a deep understanding of mathematical principles. This book is an invaluable tool for parents and educators looking to inspire a lifelong appreciation for math in their students.