Let us start to think about multiplicative thinking
An interview with Karl (Year Six) – Why do we think Karl is at risk?
Karl was asked for the answer to 7 × 15 and immediately said ‘105’.
INT: How do you know it’s 105?
KARL: First I timesed 7 by 5, which is 35, and I leave that 5 in its place – the ones place – then I times 7 times 1 equals 7. Then 3 plus 7 is 10.
INT: Do you normally write them down like that?
KARL: I normally write them down but sometimes it pops up in my head.
INT: Can you show me how you would do it if you wrote it down? [Karl wrote down the vertical algorithm, but did not show the carried tens].
INT: Can you show me what seven lots of 15 equals 105 looks like with the bundling sticks?
KARL: [after a pause] I don’t know. I’ve never worked with sticks before.
INT: OK, there’s 15 [bundle of 10 and five singles] What would you need to do to show me that there? [indicated the written algorithm].
KEC: Can I work in my own way? [He did show seven ten bundles and grouped them to make 70 and then seven groups of five which he grouped together as 35. However, he did not regroup them to make ten tens and five singles].
WHAT DOES THIS TELL US?
To read more about Karl and why we think he is ‘at risk’, follow this link more from Karl
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