Parent Lesson: Lattice Multiplication

This week in math we have been working on lattice multiplication. For most of you lattice multiplication may be a completely new way of performing the same multiplication that you are used to. This is a really cool method for multiplying bigger numbers. It's a lot easier than the regular way and it's kind of fun too.

Before you learn the whole thing you will want to start out with smaller problems just as my students do in class. There is no need to feel frustrated if you do not understand this method at first. It is important to understand that different can be good. We're going to multiply easy numbers from our times tables, but we're going to put our answers in special boxes. It’s just that simple. By watching this video and practicing a few problems you will sharpen your math skills and be able to assist your child with ease. This should only take a few minutes to learn but help tremendously in the long run. Did you find lattice multiplication to be easier or more difficult than the traditional method of multiplication? What problems have you and your child ran into while performing these problems? What do you think would help make learning and remembering lattice multiplication easier?

Curious Why Lattice Multiplication works?

Lattice multiplication works because it trains you to keep track of place value. It is important for students to understand in the problem 40x2 that they are not multiplying 0 by 2, then 4x2. They need to understand the place value of 40. It can be very helpful when doing lattice multiplication if you actually label all of your diagonal columns with their place value to help your child visually see place value. Lattice Multiplication also works because you can focus on one thing at a time. You will complete the problem by doing all of the multiplication first then by doing all of the addition.

This picture is an example of how you can label the place value on a lattice multiplication problem.