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

Survey questions that involve multiplying and dividing by 4 and 8 can cause problems for more than 60% of P4 pupils. Why should this be? How can we increase pupil understanding? Multiplication / Division by 4 & 8 First Level

Transforming lives through learning This block of work considers doubling and halving. If the 2, 3 and 5 times tables are secure, doubling opens up the 4, 6, 8 and 10 times tables. Should we start with the 10 times table, then half to get the 5 times table?

Transforming lives through learning Continually reinforcing division as the inverse of multiplication is very important. Doubling and halving should be investigated as a pair. This means that multiplying and dividing by 4 and 8 are linked together.

Transforming lives through learning Visual representations can be very helpful. Using number lines from early stages should lead on to the empty number line. Using the empty number line for doubling and halving to visualise multiplication and division by 4 and 8 is very effective.

Transforming lives through learning Reversing processes and making links is key to understanding division. If double, double and double again promotes multiplication, then halving, halving and halving again must link to dividing by 2, 4 and 8

Transforming lives through learning Taking time to ensure table facts are well embedded is effective learning and teaching. Being prepared to go beyond normal table facts should also be encouraged, when appropriate. 4 x 23 can be daunting unless we discuss double, double on the number line.

Transforming lives through learning This section of work has been designed to be as flexible as possible. The animations should stimulate teacher reflection but can also be used in the classroom to promote discussion and aid understanding.

Transforming lives through learning The survey type questions identified at the start are specifically relate to multiplication and division by 4 and 8. There is also a generic aspect to doubling and halving that aids understanding in fractions, decimal fractions and many other aspects of numeracy.