Transforming lives through learning Scottish Survey of Literacy & Numeracy Support Material Produced by Education Scotland Transforming lives through learning

Multiplying by powers of ten is an essential numeracy process. Understanding that digits are promoted up the powers of ten is an early milestone of progression. Classroom discussion on why zeros are needed as place holders should be encouraged. Second Level - Multiplication

Transforming lives through learning Practical demonstrations in the classroom can leave a lasting impression and support understanding. The link between a digit moving up one or two powers of ten and the impact this has on the change in value of the digit is sophisticated and needs to be reinforced. Using practical materials, such as cubes, should be encouraged and extended to everyday contexts such as money.

Transforming lives through learning The content is built upon prior learning at First level and liaison between stages and across sectors is essential to ensure well planned pathways of progression. Understanding place value, as is the case in many numeracy concepts, is key to progression Being able to explain when zeros must/could be included in the answer indicates depth of understanding.

Transforming lives through learning This section of work always encourages reverse processes. Show me what 10 x 43 or 100 x 61 looks like. I will show you a process and you will need to tell me what multiplication it demonstrates. Give an example of 43 x 10 and see it differs from 10 x 43

Transforming lives through learning This section of work builds progression, step by step Are there alternative pathways of progression and if so, which pathway would be most suitable? Introducing multiples of 10, 100, 1000, etc can cause problems for learners. A large number of pupils can multiply by 4 and multiply by 10 quite confidently. When asked to multiply by 40, they do not always realise they should use these transferrable skills.

Transforming lives through learning As this section builds on prior knowledge and learning experiences at First level, the Third level work will build on what has happened here. Effective continuity will be enhanced by all teachers becoming familiar with these support materials at all three levels.

Transforming lives through learning The processes within numeracy have structures and some may even talk about the rules within numeracy. Progression should be built upon understanding and not memorising procedures and rules. When you multiply 10 x 2.3, you do not add a zero. Teaching by rules can be dangerous, especially if the rule only applies some of the time.