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Teaching Multi-Digit Multiplication Using Array-Based Materials

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Teaching Multi-Digit Multiplication Using Array-Based Materials

Author: Jenny Young-Loveridge & Judith Mills

Publication Year: 2009

Abstract

This paper describes research on the classroom practices of seven teachers who taught a lesson on multi-digit multiplication using array-based materials. Studentsï¿½ understanding of multi-digit multiplication just prior to the lesson is contrasted with their performance several weeks after the lesson. Differences among the teachers in the ways they taught the lesson are examined in relation to studentsï¿½ subsequent understanding of multiplication. An important issue was the match (or mismatch) between the demands of the lesson and studentsï¿½ understanding of multiplication prior to the lesson. For example, Teacher A carefully scaffolded her students from single-digit to two-digit by two-digit multiplication problems using the dotty arrays and her students made substantial progress in their understanding of multiplication. Teacher Cï¿½s students did not seem to have a solid understanding of place value or multiplication with small quantities, and did not learn how to use dotty arrays for multi-digit multiplication. Teacher Gï¿½s students already understood the partitioning processes needed to solve two-digit by two-digit problems prior to the lesson and probably did not benefit much from the lesson on using dotty arrays.

Type: Research Paper

Jenny Young-Loveridge, Judith Mills

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a statement of the problem/issue and a discussion of its significance;
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