From: Jenny (for Teacher2Teacher Service)
Date: Jun 24, 1999 at 00:15:13
Subject: Re: Using Manipulatives

Transitioning from manipulatives to use of symbolic concepts/notation is
always a problem.  You are probably already doing this, but do not forget to
have your students record the multiplication sentence whenever they build
with manipulatives.  Also, have your students talk and write about what the
manipulative models mean.  One successful method to help students internalize
the multiplication facts is to build arrays (like 2x3 as a 2 by 3 array),
using manipulatives (like tiles) as well as recording the arrays on grid
paper and recording the multiplication sentence.  As you get to facts like
6x8, many students see these as 3x8 doubled because they can visualize the
arrays.  (This also extends really nicely to 1-digit and 2-digit
multiplication.)  Playing games which use the multiplication facts (even
things like "war") also help students internalize the facts.

 -Jenny, for the Teacher2Teacher service

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