The open area model
is a model that should permeate instruction in grades 4 and 5 as it will be used for multiplication and division of whole numbers, fractions and decimals, as well as in algebra. Notice how the student in the example below uses an open area model, base 10 understanding and the distributive property to successfully solve the single-digit by double-digit multiplication problem. In order for students to solve multiplication problems with larger numbers, when seeing all the squares or items in an array isn't feasible or practical, they need to be flexibly solving multiplication problems using an open area model with smaller numbers.
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