As an educator, it can be challenging to find engaging and effective ways to teach students multiplication. One particular multiplication skill that students often struggle with is multiplying 1-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers.

Thankfully, there are many activities that can make learning this skill more enjoyable and effective. In this article, we will share some exciting and interactive ways to teach students to multiply 1-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers.

1. Use Real-Life Scenarios

One way to teach students multiplication is to use real-life scenarios. For example, give your students a problem like, “You want to buy five pizzas for a party, and each pizza costs $15. How much do you need to pay in total?” By providing students with practical problems that involve multiplication, they can start connecting math to real-life situations, making it more relevant and engaging for them.

2. Multiplication Bingo

Bingo is an excellent game to help students practice multiplication skills. Create a 3×3 grid with numbers ranging from 10 to 90, and call out multiplication problems like “3 x 24.” Students will then need to find the product of the two numbers and look for the corresponding number on their bingo card. The first student to get three in a row shouts “Bingo!” This game helps students practice their mental math skills while making it fun and enjoyable.

3. Digital Games

Today, there are several digital games and activities that can help students learn multiplication. For example, the popular game “Minecraft” has a math curriculum called “Minecraft Education” that allows students to learn math by playing the game. There are also several math games available for smartphones and tablets, such as “Mathland” or “Math vs. Zombies,” which offer interactive and challenging multiplication games.

4. The Grid Method

Teaching the grid method is an excellent way to help students learn multiplication. This method involves breaking the multiplication problem down into smaller, more manageable sections. For example, to multiply 23 x 4, students first draw a grid containing two columns and three rows, like the illustration shown below.

| 2 | 3 |
| – | – |
| 4 | |

In the top row, students multiply the first number (2) by the second digit of the second number (4). They write the product (8) in the top-left box. In the bottom row, they do the same, multiplying the second number (3) by the second digit of the second number (4). They write the product (12) in the bottom-left box.

| 2 | 3 |
| – | – |
| 4 | 8 |
| | 1 | 2 |

After this, students add the two products together (8 + 12 = 20), and they write this answer in the bottom-right box. The answer is then read from left to right as 92.

5. Multiplication War

Multiplication War is another fantastic game to help students practice their multiplication skills. To play, each student gets a deck of cards. They turn over two cards at a time, and the first student to multiply the two cards together and shout out the correct answer wins the round. If they are wrong, the other student gets a chance to answer. The winner is the student who has the most cards at the end of the game.

In conclusion, there are many exciting and interactive ways to teach students to multiply 1-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers. By incorporating games, real-life scenarios, and digital resources, you can help your students master this essential math skill in a fun and engaging way.