Lesson 5: Multiplication and the Abacus
Getting Started
Questions to Explore
- What are some strategies we can use to multiply and divide?
Skills
- Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers
- Use the language of multiplication
Materials
- abacus (kit)
- colored pencils
- fine point dry-erase markers (kit)
- laminated multiplication strategies mat (kit)
- set of double-nine dominoes (kit)
- whiteboard (kit)
Introduction
Materials: fine point dry-erase markers (kit), laminated multiplication strategies mat (kit)
Write "5×6" in the space provided on the laminated multiplication strategies mat. Give your child a dry-erase marker, and ask him to fill in the rest of the mat to model the sentence and find the product.
Ask, "For this particular multiplication sentence, which strategy do you prefer using and why?" Allow your child to explain his thinking. He may note that he liked using an array or equal groups because he could then count by 5. He might also observe the same when using a number line.
Repeat this process using 7×4.
Ask, "For this particular multiplication sentence, which strategy do you prefer using and why?" Allow your child to explain his thinking. He may note that he liked using an array or equal groups because he could then count by 5. He might also observe the same when using a number line.
Repeat this process using 7×4.