Happy January to you all!
Teaching multiples of ten is one of my favorite units!
We do lots of base ten work for students who need that hands on piece, but then we use different break apart strategies to multiply later on. This activity is one that I have used for years to check if my students have some strategies that they can apply to solving problems that include multiples of ten.
One of the ways I have adjusted my instruction over the years is to teach intentionally with a rubric. It helps me when I’ am trying to give students activities that are ‘just right’ for them. Using levels with students also helps them to identify what they can and cannot do and what they need in order to understand.
LEVEL 1: Student can multiply 1 digit whole numbers by multiples of 10.
LEVEL 2: Student can multiply 1 digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in a word problem or table.
LEVEL 3: Student can multiply 1 digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range of 10 -90 using strategies, word problems, or tables.
LEVEL 4: Student can multiply 1 digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range of 100 – 900 using strategies and or the standard algorithm.
Typically, what I do for this lesson is allow the students to create the snowman first. Then, I have them write the answers in the snowman one at a time. As I reveal the problems on the board one at a time, I walk around and clarify or support understanding. There are two different ways I have done this. One way is to do each of the levels (1,2 and 3) as a way to see where the breakdown might be on the style of problem. A second way is to just do the Level 3 questions. Either way is fine, depending on what you’re looking for from your learners.
Some key things to remember while teaching with multiples of ten:
Use manipulatives to give visual support.
Base ten blocks are the best for this. Virtual base tens blocks work great too. THIS set from Cool Math is easy to use.
Be consistent in your review of basic multiplication facts.
Encourage the memorization of facts in class but also at home with parents. You can incentivize the kids in class with pizza, ice cream…whatever you think would motivate. In my room, I do an ice cream party.
Share multiple strategies with students for solving multiplication problems they do not have memorized.
I utilize the distributive property often with students when I’m working on larger products. I have a few videos on my You Tube channel that I made for some students a few years back. I’ve posted them below. Try these out with your students once they have a grasp of the multiplication facts and you’ll find them helpful.
This is a fun little unit to teach! Let me know how it goes!
