Double-digit multiplication can be daunting. It took us several weeks to process all the different ways to multiply. Students learned how to read and make area models, and multiply using partial products and the standard algorithm. Our topic closure was a Real-Life Scenario simulation, the students became architects who were to use their multiplication skills in order to solve problems and acquire puzzle pieces.
There were 3 tasks: complete Area Models to find out a secret message using a pig-pen cipher; use partial products to calculate the costs of a flooring company; use double-digit multiplication and the distributive property to figure out materials to build a skyscraper in downtown Dallas.
I've used this activity before, and I knew it is aligned and rigorous; however lengthy and the codes were confusing. This time I modified the order of the activities so students started with the easiest one, partial products, and also provided more clues for the codes. Also, this time I used similar ability grouping.
The changes helped with the implementation, students were able to solve the problems and a couple of teams completed the puzzle. Even the students who didn't finish practiced valued skills. All were engaged and saw the practical application of math in real life. They were involved in higher-order thinking, collaborating, persevering throughout a long task.
TEKS: 4.B ◆ 4.C ◆ 4.D