teaching multiplication

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teaching multiplication
By Donna

I believe that students should have the opportunity to truly understand the concept of multiplication(and division). I spend some time teaching what multiplication and division are: (repeated addition and subtraction) and
the idea of rectangular arrays. I also think there is validity in having students identify patterns in the multiplication table. To some students, numbers truly speak and so finding these patterns help them. I also teach the tricks, such as multiplying even times even or odd; the nine times table(product's digits total nine, and the eleven times table). Learning the progressions is

also helpful to some. We have had some very interesting observations in my third grade class. Memorization of the tables is almost secondary and comes easier to some than others. Good luck...you'll find your own way!