ds1 (Y5) had maths homework last night - multiplying 3 and 4 figure numbers together. He had to do it using the grid multiplication system - and it took forever . His mental arithmetic is excellent so he had no problems actually doing the calculations, but it's just so ludicrously long-winded. To multiply two 3 figure numbers you have to do 9 separate calculations then you have to add all the columns up to get the right answer - it's just adding in a whole lot more scope for error. Before any teachers jump on me and tell me what a good way it is, I know it helps children understand they're dealing with hundreds, tens and units, but ds1 has no problem with the concept and we can both think of many, many other things he would rather have been doing with his time last night .... Why can't teachers differentiate more - and use different systems for children of differing ability?
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a quick grrrr about grid multiplication system
mimsum · 13/06/2007 09:15
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