Building Understanding of Multiplication through Base-Ten Blocks and Area Models
By Kricket McClure (KCM and OVEC)
Students build an understanding of multi-digit multiplication by using base-ten blocks and area
models that make the structure of numbers visible. In this video, we provide a progression of
tasks that begin with simple examples, such as 2 x 3, using cubes to represent equal groups and
show how these groups can be formed into rectangular arrays. As the problems become more complex,
such as 12 x 3 and 12 x 13, students use tens, ones, and hundreds to represent factors and products.
We show how a teacher might record students' thinking to connect base-ten representations to area
models and partial products. Through these experiences, students build a meaningful foundation for
understanding and justifying the steps of the multiplication algorithm.
Targeted Standards: KY.3.OA.1, KY.3.OA.5, KY.3.NBT.3, KY.4.NBT.5, KY.5.NBT.5