Group operations Dynamic multiplication (with change)

Dynamic multiplication is very similar to static multiplication, but this time we will need to exchange hence the word ‘dynamic’. In this activity, the child learns how to multiply numbers and changing to higher hierarchies.

How is this activity presented?

The directress usually presents this activity in a group. She begins the activity by asking each child to lay out the floor mats one by one onto the carpet. She then asks one child to lay out the small number cards on one mat, another child is asked to do the same with the large number cards on another mat while the other child is asked to lay out the golden beads on the other mat.

The directress comes up with a number, such as 1141. Each of the three children gets the same number, the directress places the small number cards onto each of their trays for that number. She asks each of the three children to collect the corresponding beads from the bead bank and asks them to lay the number cards below each other on the mat.

The children begin counting the units and placing the corresponding large number card below the unit beads on the mat. Then they start counting the tens, and on reaching 10 tens the directress tells them to change one 10-bead bar for a 100-bead square from the bank.

The children then take the 10-bead bars back to the bank and exchange them for the 100-bead square, they add the 100-bead square to the other hundred squares on the mat. The children are encouraged to count the remaining 10-bead bars and collecting the corresponding large number card for the answer.

The children are encouraged to count the hundreds and thousands in the same manner, exchanging if necessary. The answer is made up of the large number cards.

What do children learn by doing this activity?

This activity reinforces multiplication involving exchange, it teaches the children how to exchange to higher hierarchies when multiplying, this activity reinforces place value as well as develops their mathematical mind’s.

Looking for more Montessori activities?

Here is a list of all the Montessori Maths activities including Early Maths, Introduction to the Decimal System, Seguin Boards, The Hundred Board, The Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains, The Snake Game, Group Operations, The Large Number Rods, Recording with the Small Number Rods, The Short Bead Stair, The Strip Boards, The Boards, The Stamp Game, The Abacus, The Dot Game, and Fractions. Just click on the page you want to learn about to go there.