Araştırma Temelli Etkinlik Dergisi (Apr 2018)
How and Why does the Multiplication Method Developed by the Russian Peasants Work?
Abstract
In this article, an activity designed and implemented to improve both procedural knowledge and conceptual knowledge of multiplication is introduced. The students were physically and mentally active while exploring a multiplication method developed by the Russian peasants. They not only explained why and how the method works, but also extended the method. The activity was implemented at a Science and Art Center located in one of southwestern cities in Turkey. The activty was implemented in two classes having 11 and 15 students respectively. The lesson took an hour. The students used unit cubes and focused on the area meaning of multiplication to comprehend the new multiplication algorithm that they have learnt. The effectiveness of the lesson was assessed using observation notes of the teacher and worksheets completed by the students. The assessment results indicate that the lesson supported the conceptual and procedural understanding of the students.
