Aims and objectives
This activity helps pupils to develop their mental recall of number
facts by testing their skills in the multiplication of integers
up to 99. The activity can be made more difficult by the inclusion
of decimals up to 99.9.
Previous knowledge
Pupils need to have a basic understanding of multiplication and
it would be beneficial if pupil knowledge extended to include the
times tables up to 10. However, as the activity can be made as easy
or as hard as the teacher wants, pupils of lesser ability can be
accommodated although this may restrict the variation of the randomised
questions.
In the classroom
The opening screen allows the user to choose between integers or
decimals. Once a choice has been made the next screen prompts the
pupil (or teacher) to select the lowest and highest multipliers
and the lowest and highest multiplicands.
Starting the activity also sets a timer running so that pupils
can check the number of correct answers made in a given time. This
can be a useful support for mental maths activities as part of the
National Numeracy Strategy.
Examples:
A choice to produce questions based on a single digit number multiplied
by a 2 digit number up to 20 would be:
· Multiplier - lowest = 0 and highest = 9
· Multiplicand - lowest = 10 and highest = 20
To create a set of questions based on multiplication up to the
5 times table the entries would be:
· Multiplier - lowest = 1 and highest = 5
· Multiplicand - lowest = 1 and highest = 5
The activity contains a timer making this a fun and effective way
to assess pupil skills. At the end of the pre-agreed time with a
pupil the ‘print’ button provides a paper output of
the number of questions the pupil attempted and the number answered
(in)correctly together with the parameters on which the questions
were based. Visiting this resource periodically allows teachers
and pupils to measure progression and identify areas where additional
support may be required.
This resource is a ‘one-to-one’ activity (not really
suited to group or whole class work) making it perfectly suited
as either a practice area for individual pupils needing support
or, by making the questions a little more taxing, as an extension
activity.
| Support materials description: |
Resources type: |
| The interactive_multiplier.pdf has a large-scale
number/multiplication 100 square suitable for printing out for
use in the classroom. Alternatively, the worksheet, if printed
on stiff paper, can be laminated and used with a dry-marker
pen or printed onto acetate for use with an OHP. |
interactive_multiplier.pdf |
Curriculum references
Mathematics – KS2
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