1 times table chants and rhythms
Original chant, clap and beat ideas for helping children remember the 1 times table without copying any existing song.
Quick answer
You can learn the 1 times table by chanting and clapping rhythms that help you remember that any number multiplied by 1 equals itself.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to chant and clap the 1 times table from 0 to 12, and understand that multiplying any number by 1 gives the same number.
- You can say the 1 times table in order from 0 to 12
- You can clap or tap a rhythm to match each number in the 1 times table
- You can explain that 1 times any number equals that number
- You can use your chant to help you solve 1 times table problems
Why this matters
Learning the 1 times table helps you understand that multiplying by 1 doesn't change a number. This is the foundation for learning all multiplication tables. When you know your 1 times table, you can quickly solve problems and understand that 1 × 5 = 5, 1 × 12 = 12, and so on. It's like having a secret code that helps you multiply numbers faster. This knowledge will help you in games, sports, cooking, and everyday life when you need to count or share things fairly.
How it works
When you multiply any number by 1, you get that same number back. It's like having one group of that many things. For example, 1 × 3 means one group of 3 things, which is just 3 things. This is the easiest multiplication to understand, and we can make it fun with claps and rhythms!
- Start with 0 × 1 = 0
- Then 1 × 1 = 1
- Continue up to 12 × 1 = 12
- Use claps or taps to make a rhythm for each number
- Chant the numbers out loud while clapping
Examples you can see
Let's look at the 1 times table with some fun examples:
| 1 times table | What it means | Clap rhythm |
|---|---|---|
| 0 × 1 = 0 | Zero groups of one thing = zero things | Clap once, then pause |
| 1 × 1 = 1 | One group of one thing = one thing | Clap once |
| 2 × 1 = 2 | Two groups of one thing = two things | Clap twice |
| 3 × 1 = 3 | Three groups of one thing = three things | Clap three times |
| 4 × 1 = 4 | Four groups of one thing = four things | Clap four times |
| 5 × 1 = 5 | Five groups of one thing = five things | Clap five times |
| 6 × 1 = 6 | Six groups of one thing = six things | Clap six times |
| 7 × 1 = 7 | Seven groups of one thing = seven things | Clap seven times |
| 8 × 1 = 8 | Eight groups of one thing = eight things | Clap eight times |
| 9 × 1 = 9 | Nine groups of one thing = nine things | Clap nine times |
| 10 × 1 = 10 | Ten groups of one thing = ten things | Clap ten times |
| 11 × 1 = 11 | Eleven groups of one thing = eleven things | Clap eleven times |
| 12 × 1 = 12 | Twelve groups of one thing = twelve things | Clap twelve times |
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you are a space explorer on a mission to learn all the multiplication tables! Your spaceship needs to travel through the "1 Times Table Zone" to collect special energy crystals. Each crystal shows a number from 0 to 12. You must collect them all by chanting and clapping the 1 times table as you go.
Let's go on this journey together:
- First time: 0 × 1 = 0 - Clap once, then pause
- Second time: 1 × 1 = 1 - Clap once
- Third time: 2 × 1 = 2 - Clap twice
- Fourth time: 3 × 1 = 3 - Clap three times
- Fifth time: 4 × 1 = 4 - Clap four times
- Sixth time: 5 × 1 = 5 - Clap five times
- Seventh time: 6 × 1 = 6 - Clap six times
- Eighth time: 7 × 1 = 7 - Clap seven times
- Ninth time: 8 × 1 = 8 - Clap eight times
- Tenth time: 9 × 1 = 9 - Clap nine times
- Eleventh time: 10 × 1 = 10 - Clap ten times
- Twelfth time: 11 × 1 = 11 - Clap eleven times
- Thirteenth time: 12 × 1 = 12 - Clap twelve times
When you've collected all the crystals, you've completed your mission! You're now a 1 Times Table Master!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 1 × 5 = 1 instead of 5
Why it happens: Confusing the 1 times table with the 0 times table
Fix: Remember that 1 × 5 means one group of 5 things, so it's 5 things
- Mistake: Clapping the wrong number of times for each number
Why it happens: Not counting carefully or not matching the clap to the number
Fix: Count the number of claps you make and check it matches the number you're multiplying by
- Mistake: Forgetting that 0 × 1 = 0
Why it happens: Thinking that zero times anything must be zero, but forgetting that 1 times zero is zero
Fix: Remember that 0 × 1 means zero groups of one thing, so there are zero things
- Mistake: Not chanting the numbers out loud
Why it happens: Focus on clapping instead of saying the numbers
Fix: Say the numbers out loud while clapping, or whisper them to yourself
Parent and carer guide
Helping your child learn the 1 times table with chants and rhythms is a fun way to build their confidence in multiplication. Here's how you can support them in just 5-10 minutes:
- Start with the basics: Have your child count from 0 to 12 while clapping once for each number
- Make it musical: Try different rhythms - tap, clap, stomp, or use a drum or musical instrument
- Use real objects: Use toys, coins, or pasta pieces to show 1 × 3 = 3 by making one group of three items
- Play along: Join in the chant and clap with them to make it fun
- Keep it short: Practice for 5-10 minutes daily rather than long sessions
- Encourage mistakes: If they make a mistake, gently correct them and try again
- Be patient: Some children need more time to remember the pattern
- Make it playful: Turn it into a game or pretend you're in a spaceship or on a treasure hunt
- Check understanding: Ask "What is 1 × 7?" and see if they can answer it quickly
- Repeat regularly: Practice the chant every day, even if just for a few minutes
Practice questions
- What is 1 × 4?
- What is 1 × 9?
- What is 1 × 0?
- What is 1 × 11?
- What is 1 × 6?
- What is 1 × 12?
- What is 1 × 3?
- What is 1 × 8?
- What is 1 × 2?
- What is 1 × 10?
Answers:
- 4
- 9
- 0
- 11
- 6
- 12
- 3
- 8
- 2
- 10