Area Model of Multiplication - Upper Elementary Mathematics

Recently I have been working not only at the summer school program but also as a tutor for an upper elementary school student.  With the Common Core State Standards, teaching mathematics in a manner that is understandable and coherent for elementary school level students remains a challenge.  One topic that has received particular criticism and that many educators, parents, and students view as a challenge is the area model of multiplication under the fifth-grade mathematics standards.  I am currently working on this topic with the student I tutor and would like to share what I have found helpful so far in hopes that other teachers and educators will find it useful.

1. Complete problems using both the area model and the standard algorithm when introducing students to the area model of multiplication.  Students may already be familiar and more comfortable with the standard algorithm, and completing a problem both ways helps students to compare and contrast the two methods.  This also helps students to see that both methods are equally valid ways to arrive at the correct answer.

Example:

2. While students are working to master the skill, provide students with a written and verbal step-by-step procedure for using the area model of multiplication.  This type of task analysis gives students a type of "road map" that they may refer to while completing problems for help.  Providing students with a sample completed problem and these steps while they begin to complete area model problems gives them guidance and support.  I have seen mentor teachers write up anchor chart versions of the following and leave the anchor chart up while students work on practice math problems.  This strategy of giving students written instructions, whether in an anchor chart or in a small note as follows, seems to reduce the time spent re-explaining a mathematical procedure.

Close up view of the procedure/task analysis:

Close-up view of the sample worked problem:

3. Last but not least, patience, time, and practice are key.  I introduced this skill to my student at one tutoring session and plan to have the student practice using the area model for at least two or three more tutoring sessions.  The area model is a challenging mathematical procedure for many students.  Keep in mind that the area model emphasizes place value, viewing multiplication as an efficient way to combine large numbers, and demonstrates to students that multiplication is a similar process to addition.  Even though the area model of multiplication is a challenging procedure, it is well worth teaching to students because of the important mathematical concepts, ideas, and facts it encompasses.

Below is a link to a YouTube video I found very helpful on the area model of multiplication:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdYV6i-kXcA

Betsy's explanation of the area model of multiplication.  From Classroom Caboodle via YouTube.

Hand and Footprint Lobster - Great for a Sensory/Special Education or Preschool/Early Elementary Room!

Hand and Footprint Lobster - Great for a Sensory or Early Childhood/Childhood Room!

I saw this hanging outside the neighboring teacher's classroom and had to post the instructions - I love how it uses both the child's hand AND feet to make a great lobster painting.  I have seen it on a variety of Pinterest boards as well.  It can make a great activity for summer school/camp or towards the end of the school year during the spring : D

Google images 

Supplies:

Red acrylic paint, white paper, paintbrush, black and red permanent markers.  Optional but recommended: Vaseline and googly eyes.

Directions:

1.) Dip child's hands and foot in Vaseline and coat the surface of each (makes it easier to remove the paint).

2.) Use a brush to apply red acrylic paint to the child's hand and feet.

3.) Place their hands at the top of the paper, press down.  2-3 inches below the hands, place their foot onto the paper in the center, and press firmly to rub the paint onto the page.  Allow paint to dry.

4.) Either the teacher, the child, or both together can complete this final step - it depends on the child's individual fine motor ability.  Draw antennae, a mouth, and lines for the exoskeleton (shell-like surface) with a black permanent marker.  You can either draw on the eyes or have the child glue down googly eyes; squeezing a white glue container is really great for developing your students' finger muscles.    Then draw the limbs or "arms" that connect the body to the claws using a red marker.

5.) You now have a really adorable lobster that both the kids and their parents will be excited to hang up at home!! :)

*Recycle the Kids' Section of the Newspaper and add to your Literacy/Reading Center* - can use to fulfill CCSS

*Recycle the Children's Section of the Newspaper for your Literacy/Reading Center*

• Our local newspaper publishes a children's section called the Mini Page.  I have been saving this fun little educational section for my future (& also my current) students.
• You can either laminate and punch holes or use sheet protectors - I use sheet protectors because they are more convenient.
• I also recommend the binder type of scrapbook, not the kind with screws or brads - binder claws are easier to use when removing pages.

Here is the picture of the entire binder.

Use newspaper clippings to decorate the front and create a title - the picture makes it easier to grab quickly!

I used different colored tabs to divide up my binder into sections - this book will be split into 2 different binders as soon as I buy another one, so then the color-coded tabs will help (I used post-its, but dividers are handy too).

I created a current events section for the first half of the binder - right now there is tons of information on summer and lots of sunny fun!!

I created a literacy section next, with info about summer reading lists and specific authors.

Next, I created a science section - the picture of my post-it would not load for some reason.

I created a social studies section at the end - I also have info on Veteran's Day and George & Martha Washington!

•  I am hoping to add another binder or two to divide up current events/literacy from science/social studies.
• I also plan to add a binder for math, puzzles, and reusable activities/fun! (You can use a dry-erase with the plastic pages :)
• Stay tuned for posts on this and other great ideas - I will show the new binders and the decorated covers once I can!! :D

-Amanda

Let's Make it Rain! A great activity for preschool, early elementary, &/or sensory classrooms :)

Let's Make it Rain!  A great activity for preschool, early elementary, &/or sensory classrooms :)

Supplies:  

Clear plastic cup(s), water, blue food coloring (can substitute other colors if necessary or desired), shaving cream or whipped cream/cool whip (the whipped cream allows the rain to go through faster, but does allow for an editable version).  Optional but recommended: paper towels/newspaper for any spills.

Instructions: 

1.) Pour water into a clear plastic cup so it is about 2/3-3/4 of the way full.

2.) Create the "cloud" by spraying a mound of shaving cream/whipped cream on top of the water.

3.) Drip food coloring through the top of the cloud, and watch it slowly trickle down to make "rain!"  The more food coloring you add, the greater the storm.  

Suggestions:

For a cool effect, hold the "rain" up to the light.  Allow children to do as many steps as possible, even dripping the food coloring - it is a great way for them to practice fine motor skills and strengthen their finger muscles!  :D  I hope you enjoy this activity, and please follow/stay tuned for more posts!

Recycled Musical Instruments - A Free and Fun Craftivity for a Sensory or Pre-K Classroom

Recycled Musical Instruments - A Free and Fun Craftivity for a Sensory or Pre-K Classroom

by Amanda Schuepfer

• The best part about this craft is that it is free and recycled, and the students can create musical instruments that they will love using for weeks to come!

• Instructions for the drums (it is geared toward the drum on a stick, but applies to all 3) can be found at the bottom of this blog entry - keep scrolling, please.   :D

Clear Plastic Drum with Sequins, Beads, Rice, and Stickers

Coffee Can Drum with a Metal AND Plastic Base - both are fun (it also contains rice so it sounds extra cool when drummed upon!)

2 Pictures of the Drum on a Stick with Strings - the second is updated to have a second string of pearl beads

 

A Group Photo!!

Instructions:

Materials:

Dowel/pencil, 2 plastic containers exactly or really close to the same size, dental floss/string/yarn, many small beads/rice/small noise-making objects and 2 large beads, crazy glue and/or packaging tape (I recommend both for strength and durability), and any other knickknacks/extras as desired (ex: stickers or markers to decorate the outside of the drum).

Directions:

1.) Poke a dowel/pencil into the side of 1 of the plastic containers. 

2.) Tie dental floss, string, or yarn to the pencil on the part of it inside the container so the string is even on either end. (I recommend dental floss because it is super strong). Then tie large beads to both ends of the string/floss, making sure the string is the right length to hit the "drum" surface. (Another tip - I recommend making it longer than you think, mine wound up a tiny bit too short).

3.) Put small beads/rice inside container - this step is easy for students to do. You can also substitute/add small items like sequins, bells, googly eyes - the sky is the limit!!

4.) Crazy glue the pencil to the inside of the container. Glue the 2 containers together, secure with packaging or duck tape. 

5.) Make music!!

**For older kids/an alternative, you can use larger plastic containers, like from yogurt, and just make a drum without the stick for a more grown-up musical instrument.
**Other alternatives for fun are to add different types of beads or materials both inside and outside the drum (ex: uncooked noodles or buttons to the outer strings), adding stickers, sequins, or drawing on the drum, using larger containers and differently shaped ones, hot gluing bells to the edge to make it a tambourine too!!