Steps to help students learn the 6-7-8-9

1- Each Finger is designated as a single number on each hand.

2-Little finger is equivalent to 6

Ring finger is equivalent to 7

Middle finger is equivalent to 8

Index finger is equivalent to 9

thumb is equivalent to 10

3- Write these numbers on each of the students fingers when teaching children the value of each finger.

4- Have students practice putting two 6’s together two 7’s together, an 8 and a nine finger together , a 7 and a nine finger together, etc. It’s important that the students know what each finger’s value represents.

5- When the students touch two nines together have them hold their hands in front of their face. Place a piece of paper over the two 9 fingers when they touch them together. This will separate the 8 fingers on the bottom from the two fingers on the top.

6- The fingers on the bottom are worth 10 each so the 8 fingers are worth 80 which is the first part of the answer to 9X9 =

7. The fingers on the top which remain = 2, one thumb on each hand. Multiply 1 thumb X1 thumb and the answer is 1.

8. Answer to 9X9 =81 Remember you always multiply whatever fingers you have remaining on top of the fingers you are multiplying.

Gene Bedley

– Gene Bedley