Multiples of 5

Multiples of 5

Control of error- numbers on the white star.

At the seminar in June, 2010 at NEMTEC, I came across this activity by one teacher and I loved it. Such a good way to help a child learn the multiples of 5.

Materials - Choose any 11 felt color cloths. Cut ten different felt cloths into 55 stars where each color is equal to numerals 1-10 that indicates multiplier and shows how many times a multiplicand will be multiplied. Number 5 is the multiplicand and one star is equal to number 5. The 11th felt color has the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 written on them, this will be our answer.

Aim - To learn and work with and understand the multiplication tables.

Age - I have done multiplication with a child as young as 4 years old so I would say 4 onwards. See, every child is unique. Some children learn multiplication by 6 only. And this is totally OK. They are more interested in other areas of learning. Some children just want to do Math or Language. It's their sensitive period towards that subject.

Control of error -

• The multiplicand number 5 where one star is equal to 5.
• The 55 stars in 1-10 different colors.
• The numbers on the white stars.
• When 1 star = 5 then 2 stars will make it 10; 3 stars will make 15 and so on.

Here, you tell the child that you are doing the activity named multiples of 5.  Place all the white stars with answers on top of the rug. Then, place one red star under 5 and say, "One star is equal to number 5." Carry on placing stars 2 - 10 under the following answer stars. Child by now is smart to figure how to find stars from numeral 1-10, i.e, which color has 2,3,4, 5...10 stars.
This is a point where a child has already learned the decimal system, i.e. the formation of complex numbers, addition and multiplication by the bank, the stamp box and the multiplication by the bead board. All these are the Montessori material activities. But if your child already knows addition then this is a good activity to introduce multiplication. It's more fun.

Enjoy !