Today is rung 2 of 16 on this topic
Multi-digit multiplication
Can do: Multiplies 3-digit by 1-digit and 2-digit by 2-digit, and can explain the partial products.
Why it matters
It's where place value and times tables combine. A child who can only follow the steps breaks the moment there's a zero or a carry.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Forgets to shift the second row, or writes the carried digit and then adds it in the wrong column.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Work out 34 × 26 and 205 × 7." Then: "What does the second row of the first one mean?"
Solid looks like: Both correct, and they know row two is 20 × 34 rather than 2 × 34.
The full activity for this topic · 20 minutes
Area Model First
- 1Draw a rectangle split into four boxes: 30 and 4 along the top, 20 and 6 down the side.
- 2Fill each box with its product: 600, 80, 180, 24.
- 3Add them up. That's the answer, and every step is visible.
- 4Now do the same sum in the column method and match each written step to a box.
- 5Estimate first every time — 34 × 26 is roughly 30 × 25, about 750.
If it's too hard
2-digit by 1-digit with the area model only.
If it's too easy
3-digit by 2-digit, and a problem with a zero in the middle: 305 × 24.
Say this
"That row isn't 2 × 34 — it's 20 × 34. That's why the zero goes there."