Trying not to put the cart before the horse!

Explain...explain...explain! It's the name of the game at our school this year and it's a concept that my special ed. friends continue to struggle with. I often wonder if it's a background knowledge issue, limited vocabulary issue, lack of confidence issue, or comprehension issue! Really...it's probably a combination of them all. I am trying to use more visuals and manipulatives in my classroom this year to bring us closer to understanding the WHY! How can we explain something that we don't truly understand. My third graders are starting 2 digit by one digit multiplication. I can tell you what will happen if I don't plan it out with visuals and manipulatives...surface learning. They will tuck it away into their short term memory. I'm hoping this Explain and Demonstrate WS will move us closer to understanding on a deeper level. You can grab a copy from my brand new TPT store.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Explain-It-2-digit-by-1-digit-multiplication-993654