5th Grade Math Resources for CCSS 5.NBT.5

5.NBT.5: Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

UNPACKED EXPLANATION: What more is there to say here? Multiply using the classic method known as the standard algorithm. The key here is the world "fluently," which means students need to be able to do this quickly and with skill. 

WHAT THE PARCC WILL EXPECT: The PARCC practice test that is currently out there has three problems that are 5.NBT.5. This is a 36 question test, so realizing that a full 8% of this test is based on this one standard, that should show us all that this is a HUGE standard. Of course, this shouldn't be a surprise. The ability to multiply fluently is a foundational math skill, and should be something students are practicing and reinforcing all year long.

The PARCC practice problems are: 

463 x 1,945 =

371 x 2,584 =

625 x 847 =

So, considering that this is a huge standard, let's discuss a few approaches: 

PARENT HELP: Multiplication and division with the standard algorithms are HUGE HUGE HUGE skills that can't be taught in a two or three week period. They need constant practice throughout the year. One way I like to do this is by involving parents. From the beginning of the school year, I send home multiplication and division practice as homework for the first few months. This gets parents involved, because even though many parents struggle to help their kids with the more rigorous CCSS based math stuff, they can provide support when it comes to multiplying and dividing. I also try to focus on basic skill checks through the first few months. Too many 5th graders don't have their basic multiplication facts down, so let's hit this standard from bottom to top.

BASIC SKILL PRACTICE:

• ROCKET MATH: If you don't know what Rocket Math is, it's 1 minute timings that students try to complete and move up a rocket chart. Teacher directions are HERE, and the timing sheets are HERE (the classic ones that I use because they're the ones my school has, and some newer ones that I don't like as much but they are out there HERE). These are good to send home, and have parents do the timings at night for practice, and then do some timings in class. I have a good system going with these and can do a full timing, and have everything put away within 3 minutes. It's good and quick practice for basic skills, which are necessary. Students can't multiply fluently if they're constantly doing multiplication on their fingers.
• Games: I could list literally thousands of different basic fact games, but instead, just go to Google and search for basic multiplication fact games and you'll see for yourself. I'm going to focus on a few of the best here. 
• Multiplication.com Games: A large collection of games that reinforce facts. I put this link up on my classroom webpage for students to use at home.
• Times Table Games: A decent listing of some basic facts games.
• Worksheets: Here's some basic facts worksheets to get you started.
• Tons of sheets in one pdf file.
• Create your own basic facts worksheets at The Math Worksheet Generator.
• Worksheet Works worksheet generator:  Good stuff here!

ADDRESSING 5.NBT.5 WITH RIGOR: Let's move beyond basic skills into mastering this skill and really starting to push students abilities with the standard algorithm.

• Mr. Maffesoli.com Listing: Mostly 2 x 2 multiplication worksheets in pdf format. 
• Internet for Classrooms.com Listing: Has 2 x 2, 2 x 3, 2 x 4, etc. 
• Mathaids.com Worksheet Builder: Build some algorithm based problems here and download as pdf. 
• Mathdrills.com Worksheet Listing: Many worksheets that address the standard algorithm. 
• CCSS Math Internet Resources: Worksheets, videos, interactives, etc.
• WORD PROBLEMS:
• Mr. Nussbaum Story Problems: 10 examples exist here. 
• A few rigorous multi-step multiplication word problems
•  Multi-step Multiplication word problems from superteacherworksheets.com: It's usually not a free site but this is a free pdf.
• Math-aids.com build your own two step multiplication problem pdf sheet.
• Helping with math.com listing: Some decent and challenging word problems exist here.
• Full module from engageny.org: Do a 5.NBT.5 search in this pdf and find a great listing of some highly rigorous problems, some warm ups, and even some rubrics and scoring samples.
• Lessons for Learning: A large pdf document provided by the Public Schools of North Carolina, I found some great and rigorous word problems here.