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.
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