We are going to start this week by using last weeks learning to begin to understand efficient written methods of column multiplication, using 'carrying' where we have had to make an exchange.

You'll see that the calculation takes up less space on the page (is more 'efficient'), BUT there are lots of opportunities to make errors, so TAKE YOUR TIME and CHECK each step, and the answer (does the result look 'reasonable'? Use your approximating skills!)

As usual, there's a video, some tasks and a Google Form for each day.

Woo hoo! Time to move on, to...division! When we were multiplying numbers over the last week or so, the answer was bigger than both of the numbers that we started with (e.g. 6 x 12 = 72). In division, the answer is smaller than the larger number (e.g. 72 divided by 6 = 12). There's an introductory video and follow up tasks, which are revision of work you completed in Year 4, before we build on this over the coming days.

Again, if you are unsure, you can get in touch, but also remember that you can watch the video as often as you need. I look forward to seeing your shared work using the Google Form.

So, on Thursday, we're going to put our multiplication skills to use in Reasoning and Problem Solving!

There's a video that guides you through two examples (but doesn't tell you the answers!) Remember you can view this as many times as you want (as you can with earlier ones, if you need to remind yourself of any of the methods).

Be methodical - avoid taking short cuts at the moment, as it's more important that you are confident with the methods rather than speed. Set out your work neatly so that you can follow what you have done later.

Have fun!

As promised, on Wednesday, we move on to multiplying 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers. Now, this can look a bit intimidating, but don't be scared! As we all know, "Maths is easy"! In order to make a success of this, you need to break the calculations down into what you know; Learn Its, Squigglesworth and It's Nothing New.

There's a video with a step-by-step example, which is also included on the printed tasks for you to refer to. Remember that you can go back to the video as often as you need to.

The tasks begin with a quick practice of the week so far, before getting stuck into 2dx4d.

Please remember you can always use the enquiries@walkley email address and don't forget to share your work using the Google Form.

Good luck and have fun!

Tuesday's task is to take some time to consolidate our learning from Monday on efficient methods of multiplication. There's another video that shows a comparison of the expanded column method vs the efficient column method so that you can see the similarities and difference in the two.

The key to the efficient method is to take your time and keep things neat - CHECK each step, every time (Are you using Learn Its accurately? Have you multiplied by the correct power of 10, using your Squigglesworth knowledge?)

Remember, if you are multiplying by a 2-digit number, you should have two rows of numbers below the line (one from multiplying by the ones, and one from multiplying by the tens).

CHECK that you have carried exchanged 10s, 100s and 1000s and have remembered to add them in at the correct time.

CHECK the final answer - use approximation to check that it looks 'reasonable'.