4 Multiplication Strategies Every Teacher Should Know – Number Lines

By Rissa Hanneken

Ever wondered how to make multiplication even more engaging for your third graders? After laying the groundwork with repeated addition and diving into the world of multiplication arrays, there’s a fresh and interactive avenue awaiting exploration: number lines. Picture this: a classroom where kids not only solve but also visualize multiplication, connecting the dots quite literally! As teachers, we’re always searching for that ‘aha!’ moment, and number lines might just be the key to unlocking it. Let’s guide our young learners down this path and watch their confidence soar!

What is the Number Line Method?

The number line method involves hopping along a line to represent multiplication. Each hop represents a group, and the distance of each hop represents the number in each group. It’s a beautiful blend of visualization and kinesthetic learning that brings multiplication to life in a unique way.

For example:

• To demonstrate 3 x 4, start at zero and make three hops of four units each. Where you land at 12 is your answer!

Tips for Teachers on Using Number Lines:

1. Introduce Physical Movement:
   • Use a long piece of tape on the floor as a number line and have students physically jump the multiplication facts. It gets them moving and engages different learning modalities.
2. Emphasize the Connection to Addition:
   • Point out that each hop is like adding the same number again and again. This ties back to our first strategy of repeated addition.
3. Use Varied Number Lines:
   • Start with larger intervals to represent bigger multiplication facts and gradually challenge students with smaller intervals.
4. Incorporate Zero:
   • Always begin at zero on the number line. This emphasizes the starting point and reinforces the concept that multiplying by zero always results in zero.
5. Practice with Different Multiplication Facts:
   • Randomly call out different multiplication facts and have students draw or demonstrate them on the number line. This helps reinforce fluency and understanding.

Why is the Number Line a Game-Changer for Multiplication?

• Visual and Kinesthetic: This strategy appeals to visual learners who benefit from seeing the jumps and to kinesthetic learners who benefit from the physical movement of hopping.
• Builds Number Sense: As students hop along the number line, they get a sense of how numbers relate to each other and how multiplication affects quantity.
• Transition to Other Math Topics: Number lines aren’t just for multiplication. They’re essential in many areas of math, including rounding, fractions, and negative numbers. By introducing them early, you’re setting students up for success down the line.

After exploring the wonders of the number line method, isn’t it clear how invaluable it can be for our third graders? The number line not only simplifies those challenging multiplication concepts but also turns them into engaging, hands-on lessons. Truly, it makes multiplication not just another topic, but a memorable classroom experience. Let’s embrace it and watch our students thrive!

As we progress through this series, remember that each strategy, from repeated addition to arrays and now number lines, offers a different perspective. The goal is to equip our students with a versatile toolkit, ensuring they’re ready for any multiplication challenge that comes their way.

In the next post – we’ll discover how skip-counting is another excellent multiplication strategy!