When multiplying steps up to double-digits, keeping numbers straight and organized is difficult. This is especially true for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or fine motor issues. In order to help students learn the process of multiplication without handwriting issues getting in the way, we can use a few strategies to help students be more successful.
Double-Digit Multiplication Frames
When getting started with double-digit multiplication using a frame can be helpful in helping keep numbers straight, and in reminding students of the multiple steps needed to solve the problem. Click the download button below to get a free Double-Digit multiplaction frame.
Lined on the Side
Simply turning the lined paper to the side is helpful because now you can use the blue lines to keep columns straight. I prefer to use wide-ruled paper but any lined paper will work.
This is an interesting concept you have here. I once had a boss with an ADHD husband so I know it can be a very difficult issue to live with sometimes but there seems to be a lot of helpful ways to work around the difficulties and awareness is becoming a lot more mainstream. I’m sure this post will help a lot of people in the future as well.
Thank you for the comments. Challenges are meant to overcome, and sometimes we just need a quick strategy to make it possible.
Multiplying double digits may be very easy for most students but not for those with learning issues like my 8-year-old nephew. He was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 3, which made my sister-in-law decide to home-school him. I can’t imagine how tough it has been for her, especially when it comes to mathematics.
The use of double-digit multiplication frames in solving math problems is a brilliant idea. I will refer my sister to your website and I am sure she’ll be thrilled.
Thank you for sharing!
Wow, what a great article; thank you for sharing “Keeping Multiplication Straight”; it’s a great and simple way to remember it. Not many people know how to do multiplication at these times because almost everyone has a phone with a calculator. It’s great to see some old-school multiplication on paper. Thank you for that. Have a great day. Regards. Vlad
As a seasoned math teacher, I have constantly emphasized following these suggestions because if the kids are going to get the right answer, they must be organized and these two steps add the order needed for success. Multiplication cards, also work wonders and students should be encouraged to spend 10 minutes a day so that the facts will be transferred to long-term memory. If you waste only 10 minutes a day because you are weak in multiplication, by the end of the school year you would have missed weeks of school!
This topic hits close to home for me.
My kids have always had trouble with math and multiplication when they first start learning it.
One of the most helpful things has been Adventure Academy, and I got a great deal on our subscription to it.
We also had to get a private tutor for a bit, but now they’re doing great.