Barleyhurst Park Primary School
Progression in Written Methods- Multiplication
Stage 1
A range of visual and practical
opportunities are modelled by the teacher
and practised by children. Activities are
linked to role play and real life skills.
e.g putting pairs of socks on a washing line.
Stage 2
Children understand early multiplication
as repeated addition.
There are 3 star sweets in a bag. I have 3
bags. How many sweets are there
altogether?
I have 3 pairs of socks, how many socks do
I have?
Stage 3
Stage 4
Arrays and repeated addition
Continue to understand multiplication as
repeated addition and develop use of
arrays.
I have 3 sweets in bag and I have 4 bags.
How many sweets will I have in total?
This moves to being shown in an array:
3 x 4 = 12
Children will use counting all objects to
solve.
Formal written method
Stage A
Introduce the grid method for
multiplication by 2,3,4, and 5
x
30
2
3
90
6
90 + 6 = 96
Stage B
Use the grid method for multiplication by
6,7,8 and 9
This then moves to a number line
1x4
1x4
1x4
Underlying Skills
Understanding of groups of equal size
Counting to 10
Doubles
Grouping objects in groups of equal size
Understand symbols
30
2
8
240
16
240 + 16= 256
3+3+3=9
Underlying Skills
x
4
Underlying Skills
8
Appropriate times tables knowledge
Commutativity e.g 3x4=12 4x3=12
Understanding of arrays and how to
represent them
Counting in 2, 5 and 10
12
Underlying Skills
Multiply a single digit number by a multiple
of 10
Times tables knowledge to 12x12
Add a multiple of 10 to a one or two digit
number
1
Barleyhurst Park Primary School
Progression in Written Methods- Multiplication
Stage 5
Stage 6
Formal written method
Formal written method
Grid method
Grid method
172 x 38 is approximately 170 x 40 = 6800
23 x 74 is approximately 20 x 70 = 1400
x
x
70
4
20
3
1400
80
210
12
=
=
1610
+92
1702
100
70
2
30
3000
2100
60
=
5160
8
800
560
16
=
=
1376
6536
Long multiplication
Stage 7
Expanded written method
Grid method
Extend to simple decimals with one decimal place.
31.6 x 7 is approximately 30 x 7= 210
x
30
1
0.6
7
210
7
4.2
=221.2
Long multiplication
Numbers involving decimals
Short multiplication involving decimals
For example, one digit number with up to two decimal
places by whole numbers
Short multiplication
Introduce short multiplication
Underlying Skills
Multiplying a 2 digit multiple of 10 by a 3 digit multiple of
10
Add 4 digit and 3 digit multiples of 10 together
Times tables knowledge
Underlying Skills
Decimal place value in multiplication
Times tables knowledge
Adding numbers with different decimal places
2
Underlying Skills
Partitioning
Multiplying two multiples of 10
Add 4 digit and 3 digit multiples of 10 together
Times tables knowledge
Adding totals
3