Flexible multiplicative strategies – single digit numbers
A resource to support development of flexible multiplicative strategies with single digit numbers, providing opportunities for students to develop a strong understanding of the properties of multiplication as well as fluency and efficiency of strategies.
Using the resource
This resource is the second section of a 4 part resource supporting flexible multiplicative thinking. Use this resource in conjunction with the other resources in this series to support a connected network of critical mathematical concepts, skills and understanding.
Supporting tasks
Refer to the resource (available for download via the Universal Resources Hub) for full instructions on how to use each of these tasks and includes materials, related tasks and learning intentions.
Sharing cupcakes
Students use cupcakes images to model and record sharing.
Understanding division situations
Students  explore different types of division problems and use different strategies to solve them.
How many leaps?
Students investigate how to model a problem to help them make sense of and solve it.
Subitising arrays
Using arrays assists students to view rows of items as a countable unit. Exploring array representations in this task helps students move beyond rhythmic and skip counting.
Understanding the commutative property
Supports students’ understanding of the commutative property, recognising that the order in which we multiply numbers is irrelevant; the product is the same regardless of the order.
Task 6: Investigating related facts
Students learn how to use known facts to work out problems they don’t know the answer to.
Is 6 fives exactly the same as 5 sixes?
Students use the commutative property to solve problems and learn how the product of differing numbers of groups and numbers in each group can be the same.
Would you rather?
Students use visualisations to represent equivalence and the commutative property of multiplication.
Create an array
Students use array sheets and paper to make nominated arrays.
Partitioning arrays
Students explore arrays to examine the various ways composite units can be partitioned..
Partially covered arrays
Encourages students to use their understanding of array structures to explore efficient strategies when solving concealed array problems.
Multiplication toss
Students watch the and explore the partitioning strategy (From Dianne Siemon, RMIT University.).
Relating tens and fives
Students use arrays to learn how ‘fives’ can be solved by doubling and halving.
2s, 5s and 10s bingo
Students play bingo to increase fluency in foundational facts about 2s, 5s, and 10s.
Doubles fill
Students watch the then use a range of strategies to develop fluency with doubles facts.
Multiples madness: fives
Students watch to help develop fluency with 'fives' facts.
Factors fun
Students watch and use their knowledge of related facts and consider using the inverse operation in order to solve problems.
Introducing multiplication and division grids
Students explore similarities and differences between the hundred chart and multiplication and division grid to support understanding of this representation.
Understanding the distributive property
Students explore similarities and differences between the hundred chart and multiplication and division grid to support understanding of this representation.
Multiplicative versus additive strategies
Encourages students to shift from seeing multiplication as repeated addition to seeing the benefit of multiplicative thinking.
Array bingo – partially covered arrays
Students watch the and make connections between visual and symbolic representations of arrays.
Go fish – collecting and solving doubles
Students watch the and use different strategies to solve double facts. .
How many unique characters
Students watch the and videos then explore how many different combinations can be made with action characters using the ‘for each’ idea.
reSolve fruit shop
Students watch the and videos then use an array to determine how many are in a collection (from ).
Squares bingo
Students watch video to help develop confidence and fluency with square number facts.
Number talk: Dot card talk 5
Students watch the then explore different ways of seeing a collection, emphasising thinking multiplicatively.
Imagining dots – number talk
Students watch and videos then explore different ways of seeing a collection, emphasising thinking multiplicatively.
Double or halve?
Students watch the to help develop confidence and fluency with doubling and halving.
youcubed number visuals
Students watch then explore different ways of seeing a collection, emphasising thinking multiplicatively
Remainders game
Students watch the to understand when a collection can’t be shared equally, there are remainders.  
Tangrams – investigating fractions
Students watch the and videos then create and find the fractional value of rectangles made from tangram pieces. 
Paper halving
Students watch the and videos to build understanding of halves using paper folding and visualising.
Which one doesn’t belong?
Students watch the and use reasoning to explore common features and differences between representations of quantities. 
Access the resource
Related supporting flexible multiplicative thinking resources
Contact
For more information, contact literacy.numeracy@det.nsw.edu.au