World Multiplication Table Day Date in the current year: November 15, 2024

Learning the multiplication table is important for students because it makes math easier and faster. It helps them solve problems, understand more advanced math, and do everyday things like managing money or measuring things. Knowing it well also builds confidence and provides a strong foundation for learning other math skills. However, learning the multiplication table can be challenging for some students, so teachers are always looking for fun ways to teach it.

World Multiplication Table Day (WMT Day) was created to help make teaching and learning math more interesting and fun. Its main organizer is Grabowsky Cards (Karty Grabowskiego), a Polish publisher specializing in educational games that help children learn math in a fun way. The publisher’s founder, Adrzej Grabowski, has conducted numerous workshops for Polish teachers, training them in the use of math cards in school and after-school activities.

Participation is free for schools, but they should register in advance on the WMT website to receive the materials. There are three main options for organizing a WMT Day event at a school: WMTD Mini (a classroom version held during a math lesson), WMTD Standard (a school-wide event), or WMTD Extended (an event that involves the community beyond the school). The choice of format and setting depends on the number of participants.

In all versions, students take on the role of examiners; they form commissions and patrols under the supervision of an adult and test older students and adults on their knowledge of the multiplication table. Commissions (panels) meet in a classroom, hallway, gym, etc., while patrols roam the school quizzing random people. In the extended version of WMT Day, patrols (accompanied by an adult, of course) take to the streets, parks, and shops to quiz passersby, carrying colorful balloons, posters, and banners.

Anyone who answers all five questions asked by the examiners correctly in less than three minutes passes the exam and earns the title of Multiplication Table Expert. In addition to the Multiplication Table Expert badges, some schools give small prizes to those who pass the exams, such as pens, sweets, charms, etc. In addition to the exam questions, various games and activities are also available.

Since the first WMT Day was held in 2011, thousands of schools have participated in the event. For example, in 2024 more than 6,800 schools registered to participate in WMT Day. Most of them (over 6,500) were from Poland, but there were also schools from Croatia, Nigeria, Ukraine, Philippines, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Moldova, Switzerland, Spain, India, Italy, Kenya, Peru, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Turkey, United States and Uruguay.