1-Digit Multiplication Archives

1-Digit Multiplication Activities Your Students Will Adore!

October 7, 2022 by Krejci Creations

If you’re a 4th grade teacher, you know how much time and effort teaching 1-digit multiplication requires. The various strategies and difficulty levels consume almost an entire month of the curriculum.

Why not make it fun for YOU and YOUR STUDENTS?

One of my favorite small group activities that incorporates a little bit of fun involves milk, cookies, and multiplication…need I say more?

1-Digit Multiplication Match with Milk 'n' Cookies

I created this activity with three objectives in mind: differentiate to meet the needs of all students, keep students engaged and motivated, and help me assess their understanding.

What I didn’t expect was how MUCH my students would enjoy it!

To play this matching game, spread the milk and cookies around your teacher table. The cookies are labeled with 1-digit multiplication problems, and the milks are labeled with the answers.

The goal is simple: Solve the 1-digit multiplication problem on the cookie and find the correct answer on a milk. I had my students make four matches, so they had to solve four multiplication problems.

How to Differentiate this 1-digit multiplication matching game

To differentiate this activity, combine several sets together. For example, when teaching 2-by-1-digit multiplication, include 3-digit questions to challenge your higher students.

The same goes for when teaching 3-digit multiplication (include 4-digit problems). This will ensure that all students have a difficulty level that is just right for them.

A major perk is being able to use this resource for several days and with any strategy such as area model, partial product, and the standard algorithm. In fact, I used it for an entire week, and my students were engaged and motivated each time they sat down to find their milk and cookie matches. Not having to prep a new activity each day will save you much-needed time!

Take a look at this activity in action from my Instagram Reel!

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A post shared by Krejci Creations | 4th Grade Math (@krejci_creations)

If you want to motivate students even further, consider giving them an actual cookie when they finish! I only did this on the first day, and let me tell you…their eyes were on the prize as they worked through their 1-digit multiplication problems. Because of this small incentive, they will be excited and ready to work hard when they arrive at your teacher table.

1-Digit Multiplication: Assess Student Understanding

Even before students attempt the multiplication problems, you can assess their confidence and understanding by the cards they choose. Those who choose the 2 x 1-digit multiplication problems are most likely feeling unsure about this skill, so you may need to step in and give them additional support.

On the other hand, students who go straight to the 4 x 1-digit multiplication problems are probably feeling pretty confident, so they might not need your support as much as the others.

Now, while I do love watching students solve challenging problems from the start, it’s more meaningful for me to witness a student begin with the 2 x 1-digit problems and eventually make it to the 4 x 1-digit problems. Your teacher heart will nearly burst as you witness them overcome challenges and work their way up to more difficult problems!

What makes this activity even more meaningful is the amount of error analysis required. Students who cannot find a match must look back and find their mistakes. They might find an answer that is close but not exact, so it forces them to analyze every part of their work. Getting students to check their work is a struggle, but this activity motivates them to do so!

So what are you waiting for? Make a trip to your local Dollar Store, pick up a box of chocolate chip cookies, and grab this 1-Digit Multiplication Milk and Cookies Matching Game!

2 by 1-digit multiplication matching game

3 x 1-digit multiplication matching game

4 x 1-digit multiplication matching game

In case you’re interested, I have lots of 2-digit multiplication tips too!

Until next time,
Happy Teaching!

-Annamarie

P.S. If you need additional ideas for small group activities, I share much more in Episode 13 of Elementary Math Chat! EP 13: 6 Small Group Activities for Every Math Teacher

Multiplicative Comparisons – Tips and Resources for Student Success

August 2, 2022 by Krejci Creations

Common Core standards were adopted by the vast majority of states in 2010. For teachers, it was out with the old and in with the new. Change can be hard, and this “new math” created quite a stir among teachers and parents.

One of the new standards added to 4th grade math was multiplicative comparisons, and boy were they a challenge to teach! After many years, I have found what works (and what doesn’t) when teaching multiplicative comparisons.

Multiplicative Comparisons - A shift in thinking

The big shift for 4th graders is to understand multiplication in the reverse order that they learned in previous years. For example, they first learned that 5 x 3 = 15. Now, it’s often written as 15 = 3 x 5, which is much harder to process. Further, students learn to read this equation as “15 is 3 times as many as 5”.

Why the change? It better aligns with the context of real-world scenarios. For instance, Jane is 15 years old. Her sister is 5 years old. This means Jane is 3 times as old as her sister (i.e. 15 = 3 x 5). Therefore, it’s important to implement word problems as you teach this skill.

Multiplicative comparisons - Product Unknown

There are two types of multiplicative comparisons: product unknown and factor unknown. For both types, it’s helpful to use a CPA approach (concrete-pictorial-abstract).

Concrete: Concrete means students are using hands-on materials to build conceptual understanding. I use the blank side of fraction tiles and have students label them with dry-erase markers. Because fraction tiles are already broken into equal-sized pieces, they are the perfect manipulative for this concept.

Click on the play button below to see how I use fraction tiles to find the unknown product.

This video is part of my digital anchor chart resource that plays video tutorials when students click or scan the QR codes!

Pictorial: Once you’ve modeled with fraction tiles, transition to having students use a pictorial model, specifically a bar model.

This visual model helps students understand the relationship between the two quantities.

Abstract: Finally, students are ready to solve problems without a model, which is the abstract approach. They can write an equation (multiplication or division) to solve for the unknown factor.

Multiplicative Comparisons - Factor Unknown

This is the more challenging of the two comparisons. Many students struggle to see the multiplicative relationship when the factor is unknown.

In the example below, students might read the problem and become confused because “3 times something doesn’t equal 32”.

They must work through the CPA approach to discover why the equation would be 4 x n = 32 instead.

Therefore, I use the same strategy as in the first example: fraction tiles, bar models, and writing equations.

This example is part of my Editable Multiplicative Comparison PowerPoint Lesson. What’s unique about my PowerPoint lessons is they include printable and digital resources to use after the lesson for additional practice, such as a Google Form Assessment and small group activity!

Once you’ve taught both types of multiplicative comparisons, plan a day to review both types of problems. This allows students to see the similarities and differences between the two.

Multiplicative comparison resources

You’ll need a variety of activities to get you started. These Boom Cards are my favorite resource because of their self-checking feature. When practicing a new skill, it’s essential students have immediate feedback. This is the wow factor in Boom Cards!

Students can use any electronic device with internet access to complete these digital task cards.

Want to know more about Boom Cards? Read my BLOG POST with details on how to use them in your classroom.

Task cards are my go-to resource for small group instruction. For starters, students can focus on one question at a time. In addition, it’s simple for me to check their work. I normally have students solve 3-5 task cards at my small group table.

If you’re a fan of task cards, check out Episode 14 of Elementary Math Chat! I share 5 of my favorite ways to use and repurpose task cards to help you get the most out of these resources.

I share ideas for choice boards, partner activities to pair them with, and how to use them with cooperative learning structures.

In addition, I explain how to use them in your whole group instruction and within a Google Form assessment.

Okay, back to multiplicative comparisons…I’m going to say something controversial in the teacher world. Giving students a worksheet for extra practice is totally fine! If they have a purpose, then they fit under my umbrella of “purposeful practice”.

These worksheets can be used for small group instruction, intervention time, included in choice boards, or assigned as homework.

Practice makes progress

I wish there was a magic wand I could wave to get students to better understand multiplicative comparisons. In reality, it just takes practice…LOTS of practice.

Furthermore, remember to give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. I spiral back to this skill all year long, especially right before state testing. A little bit of review goes a long way.

To help get you started, grab this FREE deck of Boom Cards!

Until next time,
Happy Teaching!

-Annamarie

P.S. For more 1-digit multiplication resources, shop my TPT store. You’ll find over 40 resources to choose from, including games, worksheets, task cards, and digital Boom Cards.

Math Work Mats to Help Students Master 4th Grade Concepts

July 12, 2022 by Krejci Creations

When exploring a new topic, rarely will you see my students using their math workbooks. Instead, you’ll find them working with manipulatives, such as fraction tiles, place value discs, or unifix cubes. You may also see them writing in their math notebook or solving problems on math work mats. What exactly are math work mats, and why are they so effective?

Math Work Mats

Math work mats are guided templates and graphic organizers that guide students in learning math concepts. They can be used in a variety of ways, for instance, during a whole group lesson, independent practice, or as an accommodation for a test.

Students can glue them into interactive notebooks to keep as a reference or place them in dry-erase sleeves for multiple uses.

Regardless, the end goal is for students to solve problems without the support of the work mat. Therefore, work mats are structured to provide a gradual release of instruction.

The equivalent fractions and decimals work mats shown above are from my Fraction and Decimal Work Mat set with 10 work mats included. These work mats provide visual models and number lines to help students build conceptual understanding of fractions and decimals.

Another skill work mats do wonders for is long division. These work mats guide students on digit placement and help them align their numbers.

Click the button to try a FREE sample of my long division work mat collection!

Now, if the thought of long division makes you cringe, check out this BLOG POST with 8 helpful tips for teaching long division.

Tips for using math work mats

As I mentioned above, you can place work mats inside dry-erase sleeves and have students use Expo markers to solve problems. When possible, print them double-sided with the different levels provided.

The work mats I create and use have at least two levels. Once students understand the simpler problems on the front side, they can move on to more complex problems on the back.

Furthermore, give students the option of using a blank whiteboard at any time when they are ready.

Some students will be ready after just a few examples, while others will need more time before they can solve problems without the support of work mats.

Glue Math work mats in notebooks

In addition to placing them in dry-erase sleeves, work mats can also be glued into interactive notebooks. These mini mats become a reference page, or anchor chart, for students to refer back to. You can also print these as a poster to create a classroom anchor chart!

The Distributive Property work mat is a great reference tool for 4th graders as they learn more difficult multiplication strategies. Students also love to color, so incorporate this when you can. It helps them take ownership of their work and often makes math concepts more clear.

Storing work mats

I store my work mats in 3-ring binders and organize them by chapter. This system allows me to easily find what I need when planning and preparing materials. You will need a large number of dry erase sleeves to store all of your work mats, but it is worth it to not have to refill them each time!

Work mats are an effective resource that all teachers need in their toolboxes. Take a look at my collection of 4th grade work mats to help you get started!

Skills include:
✅ Rounding Whole Numbers
✅ 1-Digit Multiplication Strategies
✅ 2 by 2 Digit Multiplication
✅ 3 by 2 Digit Multiplication
✅ Long Division
✅ Factors, Multiples, and Prime & Composite Numbers
✅ Multiples of Fractions
✅ Subtracting Mixed Numbers with Renaming
✅ Fractions and Decimals
✅ Relating Angles, Degrees, and Fractions of a Circle
✅ Area and Perimeter

Until next time,
Happy Teaching!

-Annamarie

P.S. In case you missed it, grab your own copy of the FREE Long Division Work Mat!

1-Digit Multiplication: Why Teach More Than One Method?

September 5, 2018 by Krejci Creations

1-digit multiplication is one of my absolute favorite skills to teach! For starters, I love that we now teach students more than one way to multiply. This is so powerful and helps students connect with the true meaning behind the skill.

In addition, once they see the patterns in 1-digit multiplication, they can go deep. I love walking around to my early finishers and adding a few digits to their problem to keep them engaged and challenged. Students begin doing this on their own to challenge themselves!

1-Digit Multiplication Method #1: Expanded Form

The strategy I begin with is using expanded form to multiply. I love this method because it allows students to work with friendly numbers and is fairly concrete.

Since they’ve already learned how to write a number in expanded form, this method comes naturally to them. However, I never assume all students will master this concept, so I use these Boom Cards as a formative assessment.

1-digit multiplication method #2: Area Model

I didn’t always teach the area model method with 1-digit multiplication. However, I found it so effective with 2-digit multiplication, I decided to give it a try.

As you can see in this area model multiplication work mat, this method is a natural next step after using expanded form and helps students better organize their work. The only difference is that students draw an area model to multiply the expanded form.

Begin with 2 by 1-digit multiplication and work your way up to 4 by 1-digit multiplication problems. Students will begin to see patterns and build confidence as they solve more challenging problems.

This fun and festive Halloween-themed deck combines Estimation with Area Model Multiplication. If you teach 1-digit multiplication methods in October, this set of Boom Cards would be the perfect math center!

1-Digit Multiplication Method #3: Partial Product

The next 1-digit multiplication method I teach is the partial product method. This is a bit more abstract but still allows students to work with friendly numbers. Since they already learned expanded form and area model multiplication, they have a better understanding of how partial products work.

I love using these color-coded task cards for small group instruction. Half of the cards are color-coded for guidance, and the other half are open-ended. They also progress in difficulty for quick differentiation.

By the way, does the sound of differentiating math centers intimidate you? Check out Episodes 10-12 of Elementary Math Chat for help! There was so much to cover that I had to break it down into 3 episodes!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

1-Digit Multiplication Method #4: Standard Algorithm

The last 1-digit multiplication method I teach is the standard algorithm. Most students choose this strategy in the end, and I’m okay with that! We want students to use the most efficient strategy, and the standard algorithm is by far the most efficient.

This method is more abstract, but since students first learned with concrete strategies, they can now apply their understanding to the traditional algorithm.

If you are a fan of task cards, grab this free set of 1-digit multiplication task cards by clicking the pink button. Check your email for your freebie!

1-Digit Multiplication Formative Assessments

Boom Cards are my go-to for gathering valuable data. Since they are digital, all students need is a link and they can access the resource on any digital device. This is about as LOW PREP as you can get!

They are also self-checking, which means students know after each problem if they’ve answered correctly. That is their WOW factor! No other platform gives students immediate feedback while learning like Boom Cards do!

Another reason I love Boom Cards is that they aren’t just for small group centers. I use this set on Partial Product Multiplication in my whole group instruction. Students use a similar work mat with a place value chart, so it’s a fun and interactive way for us to check our work during the lesson.

Want to know more about Boom Cards? Read my blog post to learn how I use them in the classroom or view them in my TPT store!

If you aren’t teaching these non-traditional 1-digit multiplication methods, I hope you will consider doing so. Your students will thank you!

Until next time,
Happy Teaching!

-Annamarie