Area models first
Before teaching the standard steps for 2-digit multiplication, draw a rectangle and split it into tens and ones: 30 + 4 by 20 + 6. Kids find the four smaller areas and add them. When they meet the algorithm later, they know why it works.
Why it works: going from real objects to pictures to symbols is a core recommendation of the U.S. Department of Education's elementary math guide.
Try it withTwo Digit Numbers Multiplication WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →























