The Dot Game: Static multiplication (without change)
How is static multiplication done with the Dot Game?
This is a lovely activity that teaches the child how to multiply with the dot game. The directress begins the activity by reading through the operation with the child (2342 x 2) that is written in expanded notation on the dot board.
The directress reminds the child that they need to add this number twice as they are multiplying by 2. The directress draws two green dots in the unit column and the child draws another two green dots in the unit column. The directress draws a line between the first two dots and the second two dots to show the number has been taken twice. The child is asked to add the dots together and record the answer (4) in green in the unit column of the dot paper.
The child is encouraged to draw four dots in blue twice in the tens column, ensuring to draw a line between the first four and the second four dots to show the number has been taken twice. The child then adds up the dots and records the answer in blue in the tens column on the dot paper.
The directress encourages the child to continue in the same manner with the hundreds and thousands, ensuring to record the answer in the correct coloured marker in the correct column. The directress reads through the operation and the answer with the child once completed.
What does the child learn by doing this activity?
This activity reinforces place value in the decimal system and the (x) sign, as well as the child gets practice in multiplication using more abstract materials.
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.
Early Maths
Introduction to the Decimal System
The Short Bead Stair
Seguin Boards
The Hundred Board
Bead Chains
The Snake Game
Group Operations
Large Number Rods
Recording with the Small Number Rods
The Short Bead Stair
The Strip Boards
The Boards
The Stamp Game
The Abacus
Operations with the Abacus: Static addition (without change)
Operations with the Abacus: Static multiplication (without change)
Operations with the Abacus: Static subtraction (without change)