Multiplication and Division

Yes, multiplication and division can be FUN!  

The following video shows how one can learn to visualize multiplication with circled black dot flash cards. What a great mental math exercise!

Subitizing Multiplication Cards from Graham Fletcher on Vimeo.

For practicing division, simply give your child(ren) a number of small objects to divide evenly onto blank circles cut out of paper. 

Teacher blog, "Teaching Tidbits", is full of wonderful multiplication and division ideas. Reagan does a great job showing the relationship between the two mathematical concepts.

Scholastic's website explains a great multiplication game using items you may have around the house! 

You may download and print the multiplication cards below for your own practice!

There are many multiplication strategies used within the classroom, simply because every child understands math concepts differently. The following video demonstrates other helpful methods that you can try using with your children.

Keep it simple, and choose the method that makes your child excited to practice math!

In fact, once your child is able to demonstrate and teach the method themselves, you will know they fully understand.

The following video is an explanation of how to work the lattice method of multiplication. This method has become popular due to its simplicity for solving larger numbers, though very different compared to how most adults learned multiplication. 

 Division has many strategy methods as well, mirroring its opposite, multiplication.

Click here to see a video that demonstrates methods you can use for division practice, choosing the one that most excites your child. You may find a new favorite!

 I hope you have enjoyed practicing with your child(ren) today!!

Ten Frames, numbers 1-20 .... and beyond!

Ten Frames for higher numbers!

Using ten frames for learning and practicing teen numbers (and higher), is a great tool for child(ren).  As with numbers up to ten, one can practice both addition and subtraction using two ten frames for numbers 1-20.... and beyond! Simply add another ten frame to create the next set of ten on the number line. 

The following video is another dot flash for practicing subitizing with your child(ren), but with numbers up to 20!
This particular video is more lengthy than the others, so young children may understandably grow antsy.  
Remember, this is meant for fun! 

How did you do?  

Now that you've had some practice with two ten frames, you can now try some addition and subtraction strategies with your child(ren), up to number 20. 

You can use a dry erase board or print the documents I have included at the bottom of this post. 

I hope you enjoy watching the next video, demonstrating the "make 10 strategy" for composing (adding) and decomposing (subtracting) larger numbers.

When trying this with your child(ren), remember to ask them questions on what they see, and allow their lead in solving the problem.  Having your child(ren) write the numeral answers on a dry erase board, is a great way to correlate ten frame dots with actual numbers.  If your child(ren) struggles with writing an equation for their ten frames, write it down on your own paper (or board), and have your child(ren) copy it.

You may choose to print the following document, from get2MathK-5, and use math counters in the blanks, or other small items you can use for counters. This particular document also includes blank 5 frames, wonderful for practicing addition and subtraction to 5, or "splitting" a ten frame in half to focus on teen numbers. 
For numbers greater than 20, simply print another blank ten frame. :)

Ten Frames with Black Dots, numbers 1-10

Ten Frames

These ten frame activities encourages children to think in sets of 5 and 10, and will help them on the road to visualizing addition and subtraction problems.

Below is a video demonstrating how one can use the ten frame in a subitizing fashion. Enjoy!




While using ten frame cards, discuss with your child(ren) how many more black dots would be needed to make ten, and why. Show different arrangements of dots within the ten frame that adds up to the same number, and have child(ren)write the numerals on a dry erase board for comparison. Arrange different combinations that add up to ten (1+9, 8+2, 7+3, 6+4, etc.). There are so many different ways to play with numbers, using both addition and subtraction within the ten frame. It was hard choosing, but here are my favorite websites: 

This blog by a teacher named Mrs.B, has some great ideas for using ten frames

I love both the FREE downloadable ten frames and * interactive* ten frames on Sparkle Box!! They also have five frames for those still working on numbers 1-5. What a GREAT website!!!

Download FREE ten frames from Teachers Pay Teachers! 


I'm attaching my favorite documents from get2MathK-5, that you may find useful for ten frame practice. The "Dot card games and Ten Frame Activities" document is especially full of activity ideas, providing the ten frames and numbers that the activities mention.

Black Dots~ Subitizing

Have you heard of subitizing?

Studies have shown that when children practice subitizing a group of objects without numbers, that it helps develop a good number sense for a solid foundation in Mathematics.

Go ahead and try it! It's a lot of FUN!
Show your child(ren) a card of black dots for about 3 seconds before hiding it. Ask them how many dots there were and how they knew so quickly. Your child(ren) can write the numeral on a dry erase board to make this exercise even more fluid and enjoyable.

Here's an idea of what subitizing is like:

I have included favorite black dot patterns at the end of this post from Get2MathK-5 that you can download and print. The following links are also great resources!

Dot Pattern Cards for numbers 1-9 found on Sparklebox.com.

Find a variety of dot resources on TeachMath.