Multiplication

Multiplication is a concept which is introduced to our 3rd graders. We want the students to have deep understanding about what is happening with multiplication rather than simply memorizing facts. It starts off as just recognizing equal groups. In third grade our students work with arrays to help visualize the problems and the distributive property to help break numbers apart. Another visual tool that we use is the area model. This, like the distributive property, helps students to break apart numbers into easier and more manageable problems. The place value chart plays an important role in this concept to show students how the digits move to the left with powers of 10.