The Dot Game: Dynamic multiplication (with change)

How this activity is presented

The directress begins the activity by reading through the operation with the child that is written in expanded notation on the dot board, for example: (1334 x 3) She reminds him that they need to add 1334 3 times.

The directress draws four dots in green in the unit collum. She then draws another four dots in the unit column and then another four as they are taking the number three times. She ensures to draw a line after each set of four dots. The directress starts to add up the dots.

She stops on reaching 10 dots and crosses out the whole row, she places a green dot at the bottom left of the unit column to record the row. She continues counting the remaining units (2) and records the answer in green in the unit column on the dot paper.

The directress places one dot in blue in the first square of the 10’s column to show how they carried 10 units over from the previous column. She encourages the child to continue drawing and counting the tens, ensuring to change hierarchies when necessary. She reminds him to draw a line after each section of three and to record the answer in the correct coloured marker in the correct column.

The child is encouraged to do the same with the hundreds and thousands. The directress reads through the operation and the answer with the child once it is complete.