Hidden Multiplication
Multiplication hiding in reward charts
Stickers per day multiplied by days shows weekly effort.
Quick answer
Multiplication is hiding in reward charts when you count how many stickers you earn each day and multiply by the number of days.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use multiplication to work out how many stickers you earn in a week by multiplying stickers per day by the number of days. Success signs:- You can count how many stickers you get each day
- You can multiply stickers per day by the number of days
- You can use a reward chart to show your weekly progress
- You can solve problems like "If I get 3 stickers a day, how many do I get in 5 days?"
Why this matters
Reward charts help you see your progress, but multiplication helps you count quickly and easily. When you're working out how many stickers you'll have after a week, you're multiplying! This is useful in many ways:- Planning your pocket money savings
- Counting how many treats you eat each day
- Working out how many toys you need for a party
- Knowing how many points you'll have in a game
- Understanding how your effort builds up over time
How it works
Multiplication is like repeated addition. If you get 2 stickers a day for 5 days, you can add: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10 stickers. Or you can multiply: 2 × 5 = 10 stickers. Let's break this down step by step:- Count how many stickers you get each day
- Count how many days you're tracking
- Multiply the stickers per day by the number of days
- Write it down or draw it on your chart
Examples you can see
Let's imagine you're using a reward chart for your reading time. You get 1 sticker for every 10 minutes you read.| Day | Stickers per day | Days | Total stickers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 3 | 1 | 3 × 1 = 3 |
| Tuesday | 3 | 2 | 3 × 2 = 6 |
| Wednesday | 3 | 3 | 3 × 3 = 9 |
| Thursday | 3 | 4 | 3 × 4 = 12 |
| Friday | 3 | 5 | 3 × 5 = 15 |
| Week | Money saved per week | Weeks | Total saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 × 1 = 2 |
| Week 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 × 2 = 4 |
| Week 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 × 3 = 6 |
| Week 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 × 4 = 8 |
| Week 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 × 5 = 10 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Sticker Collector You're a sticker collector and you want to know how many stickers you'll have by the end of the week. Here's your challenge:- Monday: You get 1 sticker for every 5 minutes you practice your piano
- Tuesday: You get 2 stickers for every 10 minutes you read
- Wednesday: You get 3 stickers for every 15 minutes you draw
- Thursday: You get 4 stickers for every 20 minutes you do maths
- Friday: You get 5 stickers for every 25 minutes you play music
- How many stickers do you get on Monday if you practice for 15 minutes?
- How many stickers do you get on Tuesday if you read for 20 minutes?
- How many stickers do you get on Wednesday if you draw for 30 minutes?
- How many stickers do you get on Thursday if you do maths for 40 minutes?
- How many stickers do you get on Friday if you play music for 50 minutes?
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Adding the number of stickers instead of multiplying them
Why it happens: Confusing repeated addition with multiplication
Fix: Use your fingers or draw groups to show multiplication - Mistake: Forgetting to count the number of days
Why it happens: Not reading the chart carefully
Fix: Use a counter or a calendar to track days - Mistake: Mixing up stickers per day with total stickers
Why it happens: Not understanding the difference between parts and totals
Fix: Draw a picture showing stickers per day and total stickers
Parent and carer guide
You can help your child understand this concept in just 5-10 minutes by:- Creating a simple reward chart together
- Using stickers, counters, or toys to show multiplication
- Asking questions like "If you get 3 stickers a day, how many will you have in 4 days?"
- Using everyday situations like packing lunches or setting the table to practice
- Reinforcing that multiplication is just repeated addition
- "Let's count how many stickers you get each day"
- "Now let's multiply to see how many you'll have in a week"
- "You're doing great at seeing how your effort builds up!"
- Your child might not know all the times tables yet
- They might need to count or draw to solve problems
- They might make mistakes - that's normal!
Practice questions
- If you get 2 stickers a day for 6 days, how many stickers do you have?
- If you get 4 stickers a day for 3 days, how many stickers do you have?
- If you get 5 stickers a day for 4 days, how many stickers do you have?
- If you get 3 stickers a day for 7 days, how many stickers do you have?
- If you get 6 stickers a day for 2 days, how many stickers do you have?
- 2 × 6 = 12 stickers
- 4 × 3 = 12 stickers
- 5 × 4 = 20 stickers
- 3 × 7 = 21 stickers
- 6 × 2 = 12 stickers
FAQ
What is multiplication?
Multiplication is a way of adding the same number many times. For example, 3 × 4 means 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12.
Why do we use multiplication in reward charts?
We use multiplication in reward charts because it helps us count quickly when we have the same number of stickers each day. It's faster than adding the same number over and over.
How can I practice multiplication at home?
You can practice by using your reward chart, counting objects in groups, or playing multiplication games with family members.
What if I don't know my times tables?
That's okay! You can still solve multiplication problems by drawing pictures, using objects, or counting in groups.
Can I use multiplication for other things besides stickers?
Yes! You can use multiplication for counting money, measuring ingredients, planning trips, and many other real-life situations.