Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps®

by Maureen Stearns, Janice Phelps Williams (Illustrator)

Math concepts can seem very abstract, but in just a short time, literally in just 5 minutes, students can learn how to multiply. This book concretely shows what multiplication is, instead of just having students memorize the times tables. It gives step-by-step instructions as well as sample problems showing how the process works. A natural flow occurs throughout the book as concepts get more difficult. Also included are easy ways to divide, find least common multiples, and square roots. This simple, hands-on method will help students achieve a better understanding of mathematics and boost self-confidence as well. Students will become so proficient they will be able to teach Sticks and Steps to others who struggle with multiplication and division. Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps is easy to learn, easy to teach, and so logical, it's easy to remember. An essential resource for parents and educators to carry with them in their bag of tricks.

96 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2010

Reviews

[brandy oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very impressed with this book! I have always loved math when I was in school, and we have 4 children, ages, 2,5,8 and 19. This was used to help our 8 year old son, who actually is pretty good at math, however, due to an illness, missed a lot of school in his last year. (2nd grade). We have been buying and searching for and printing, all kinds of lessons, for all the kids actually. But specifically for our 8 year old. Just so he stays on track with his grade and schoolwork.
Math is one of the subjects that seems that if you don't catch it at the beginning, you may end up having a very hard time for the rest of the lesson. Tests and homework and grades, all count on this, and when you just barely pass 1 section, and get moved onto the next, you can certainly end up hating math, and having a rough time for the rest of your school career. not to mention real life, when you really do have to use math in all kinds of daily situations!
Math to me, is extremely important, and sometimes it gets hard to help your child since they always seem to change the way they teach them in school. Especially when they have to show work! Which was always something I had trouble with in school because I could do the math in my head, have the right answer, and get a bad mark because i didn't show my work.
No matter how many we have tried to help the 2 children that have had and are in school , with math, there has always been a bit of confusion, and misunderstanding. With this book, our son literally opened it up, took a piece of paper, and a pencil, and started with page 1.
He really maybe spent about 5 minutes, like the book claims, and was so proud and yelling "Oh mom!! I know how to multiply!!" lol! He loved the fact that he figured this out on his own and was able to understand it, as it is explained very clearly, and it seems so easy! To easy actually!
If you can count, you really can multiply and divide. really, what is even more amazing, is that Genevive, our 5 year old who will be starting school this year, can count, AND was easily able to do some (very simple), multiplication! This is something that really boosted her ego!
Aaron can not wait for school, and finds something everyday to multiply and divide, lol, he loves school and learning so much!
I recommend this book for any parent who would like to help their children gain confidence. You don't have to be having trouble in math just to use this! This book will be used over and over and over, and you can share the concept with friends and relatives! (or just recommend they get this book:)

** We were given a copy of this book in return for our honest review **

[Trista · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Special Education teacher I am often faced with math difficulties, in both the students and parents. I implement a home letter to inform the parents what is going on in the classroom and a bit of review on topics that we will come across in case they (the parent) need help! Trust me, this is important! If you have a little one who is just starting school ask the teacher for a parent letter - especially if the district is using a set math curriculum.



Sticks and Steps is a great book to have in the classroom and to have as a parent! I always implement Math Facts, which allows me as a Special Education teacher to track the students progress with addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. You would be surprised how many student do not understand multiplication when they encounter it in school, even HS students! It is scary at first for a teacher, but for me it is a beginning. It allows me to set my own goal for that student - "By the end of the 9weeks I want this student to be able to multiply up to the 9X9 with 90% proficiency." By the way, that could also be used for Progress Monitoring or for an IEP goal/objective :)

First I need to say this book would be great for a Bell Ringer. A Bell Ringer is the beginning 5 minutes of class to get the 'Brain in Motion' and begin to learn. It would be extremely easy to photocopy onto overheads to use, which I highly recommend. With some Special Education students it may be appropriate to actually copy a page for them to see in front of them and on the overhead - it often does help!

The supplementary curriculum in this book is great! It easily allows one to follow along and try their own multiplication. With sticks and steps it is easy to understand what the Sticks and Steps are. I would have loved it the Sticks and Steps were different colors, not just light grey and black. If you do copy on overheads you can use your colored markers to do this! It is a little longer to do the sticks and step method in division, but once the student/child learns the process and reasoning behind it, they are set. I loved how you can do LCM (Least Common Multiple)! When I taught this last year I wish I had this idea.

Without a doubt I would recommend this to any teacher or parent. The final words of advice from me for teaching multiplication and division are 'Always give encouragement!'

[Penny Minding Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always struggled with math, in fact I still struggle with it. I remember sitting at home trying to memorize multiplication tables and getting frustrated when I couldn't remember them especially during exams. Now, I see my nephew having the same struggles and I now have an easy way to help him learn how to multiply and divide .

Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps - Teach this Easy Method in just 5 Minutes by Maureen Stearns, B.A., M.S. Exceptional Student Educator, truly is an easy to teach and easy to learn method of learning how to Multiply and Divide. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first opened the book. Inside I found a simple and effective way of teaching (and learning) how to multiply and divide without using any aids or any extra expense other than the book. The book relies on the learners ability to see and touch rather than on memorization skills. The skills learned in this book can be with the learner forever!

I wish someone had taught me this method when I was first learning in school. It's so simple, yet so effective. The book shows how to do simple multiplication and progress into long division. Using clear illustrations she covers concepts like least common multiples (LCM), square roots and other special rules for all up and coming mathematicians.

Although the book was designed so that it doesn't overwhelm the reader with a lot of workbook style pages, I do wish it had a few problems that I could have worked through. The book is very quick to tell you the answer before I was able to work through the problem. For example: The author will ask you how many steps will something take and immediately following that question will tell you the answer.

Overall I was very impressed and would recommend this book to anyone who has a little one who may be struggling with multiplication and division.


Maureen Stearns enjoys fostering personal growth in others. She is as an Exceptional Student Education teacher in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. I am not required to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own and they are sincere.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of book is to simplify multiplication and division so that regardless of whether or not a student can memorize the times table, they will always have a strategy that helps them to be able to figure out the answer, how to get it and why that number makes sense. This method of counting tally marks help to reduce errors in counting and increase confidence in mathematics.

There are large diagrams that help to explain the reasoning of multiplication and this method of multiplying. The vocabulary used is also broken down and made easier to follow allowing this method to be taught to any child that has mastered addition. The concept of this method is easy to catch on to and resembles the traditional tally mark way of multiplying with the exception of the “steps” which is the reason for the ease and accuracy of this strategy. The method is then taken to the next level to show how it can work for division.

The addition of quotes and proverbs provide encouragement and inspiration for the readers while the larger print on large pages leaves no doubt about how easy this method is to learn. Tested the method and concepts on my own children and discovered that having this tool in their reach took the stress of memorizing the times table away and actually allowed them to start to remember their times table quicker. The old adage about learning for yourself will stick with you longer than just being told something really stands up to the test when it comes to multiplication and division. Knowing how and why that number is the right answer makes it easier to remember what the number is.

This method is so simple to teach and easy to use that I find it surprising that it isn’t already widely used, maybe it is in some areas. I do know that the ease of use alone has allowed my youngest the confidence to make a great improvement in the math scores brought home from 3rd grade. The confidence alone has increased the scores, but the method behind it also helps with those tricky problems.

[Jessica Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flipped through this book as soon as I got it. The cover is so inviting, and looks so simple, that even my young daughters wanted to see inside...My daughters are 4, 3 and 1. I loved what I saw, and decided I'd test it out myself first to see how easy it really is. It was VERY simple to do AND helps you understand what you are doing.


I've never had a problem doing math, but I thought my 4 year old could start working on it...maybe even learn to multiply earlier than I thought she would. After all, the book says that if you can count, you can multiply. She does great with counting and has even started to get the hang of addition and subtraction, though she does still have trouble here and there. (We only do single digits so far.)


I let her and my 3 year old look through the first couple of pages with me, and they loved it! The pictures really do a great job of showing you what is going on in every step!


So, we've had the book for about 2 weeks now. My 4 year old and my 3 year old are both multiplying! Even bigger numbers! They love it! My 4 year old is even doing ok with division! I'm amazed! I can't believe it! 2 weeks ago, my 4 year old was having a little trouble with addition and subtraction, and now she's multiplying with no problem and working on division! My 3 year old is multiplying! WOW!


I still can't believe it! Everyday when we do a page or 2 more, she is understanding it and retaining the information that she previously learned! I am in awe!


This book is awesome and I most definitely recommend it to anyone for their kids...even adults that have problems understanding math.

[Lana Bradstream · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a first for me -- a children's book, more specifically, an educational children's book. It is like a study guide you would receive in the second grade. It is MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE WITH STICKS AND STEPS by educator Maureen Stearns.

To break it down for you, let's say you have the problem 3x4. You draw three sticks on a piece of paper. Then, you draw four steps. You count the sticks and put 3 on the first step. You continue counting and place 6 on the second, 9 on the third and finally 12 on the fourth. The last number is always going to be your answer. And the book delves into more complex multiplication such as 127x12, as well as long division.
Incredibly easy to read, I started and finished it on my lunch hour and still had plenty of time to spare. Stearns writes it in a way that would make it simplicity itself for children to understand. The chapters are broken down quite lovely and the illustrations that accompany each problem help the understanding along the way.
I wish I would have known about this trick when I was learning my multiplication. I bet it would have saved me, my teachers and my parents a lot of grief and effort. One thing is certain, I will keep this book for when Bee begins her multiplication learning.
I also wish I could give a more in depth review of the book. I am used to writing more when it comes to Written Word Wednesday, but since the book was so short, there was no plot and nothing to analyze, I'm afraid I will have to cut this short.
Based on the logic behind the concept, the simple way it is written and the way the material is presented, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for children's education.

[Sharon Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read through the book I found myself wishing I had found this a few years ago when my son was at the stage of learning his multiplication and division. He was so enthusiastic to sit go through his times tables but when he became stuck and just couldn't remember seeing the disappointment in his eyes, especially with the 6x, 7x and 8x tables. The book would have been such a valuable tool for both myself and my son.

The simple, yet clever method not only covers basic multiplication in detail, it also covers what's the missing number, both short and long multiplication and division sums and progresses onto slightly more advanced areas such as square root and the least common multiple. The author has also included some lovely educational quotes throughout the book to inspire.

I found the book very easy to read and understand from the simple instructions and clear diagrams. The numerous diagrams are spread out nicely throughout the different stages of the book and you also benefit from extra examples at each stage to reiterate the problems and solutions. For a parent or teacher it is very quick to read through and digest and be able to share the knowledge with the child. For a child it makes learning, what can be a difficult subject, fun and enjoyable. What I think makes it all work is the fact that they visually and physically see the problem being solved in the steps, which makes it so much easier for them to remember.

I would definitely recommend this book to any young mathematician and of course their helper !!

[Mochalove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning math is often a sore point with young school age kids and their parents, as most people are not mathematically inclined. While there are a great many books out there on the market that profess to teaching the easy methods to understanding and performing math functions many of them somehow fall short or present a series of confusing methods that can frustrate both students and parents alike Maureen Stearns B.A. ,M.S. who is a parent, educator and author has found the perfect method to easily teaching multiplication and division to students which is published in a book titled Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps.

As a parent of six children myself I understand the trials and tribulations of teaching young children anything especially multiplication and division. This book is a simplified guide to multiplication and division and it works very well. I know this system works because I tested the methods out on my own children and the results were great. Written in easy to understand language with the steps adeptly completely illustrated this book can work wonders for all students, this book even includes multiplying and dividing large numbers, common multiples and square roots for the more advanced learners. Also this book includes illustrations that map the steps out which is both a great help and a plus.

I highly recommend this book as an at home teaching tool for all students and it should be included in the curriculum for math teachers dealing with students struggling with math.

[Kim Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool little book! Reviewing a childrens book is not the norm for me, especially a teaching book, but “Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps”, by author Maureen Otteni opened my eyes to a whole new way of teaching kids about math.

I have 7 children – unfortunately, they are all grown now and and I have no need for this book – BUT, I really do wish I had it when they were young. This study guide, for children around the 2nd grade level, outlines a very simple way to teach children how to multiply and divide – by using “stick” drawings. Math has always caused such a problem in my house – none of us are good at it, and when children are first learning it, it seems so foreign! Never would I have thought about something as simple as what is taught in this book.

The book contains topics on:

Basic math methods
Swapping sticks for steps
Multiplying Multi digit numbers
Dividing large numbers
Finding the Least common multiple
Many more!
If you dread teaching your child basic math steps, or if you have tried and failed, I highly recommend you check out this book. Simple, easy, and straight forward!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I received this book I looked through the book with the eye of an 8th Grade teacher who has also taught 2nd and 5th. I know where my kids come from and where they need to go with their math and in what process.

This book goes through the process of teaching Multiplication and Division in a semi hands-on method with materials that are easy to find. I do think that is a good resource a reluctant young learner. I do think that it does lack in teaching the basic numeracy of numbers which when in higher grades does affect students when they can't tell you what they are doing with numbers and why.

I think this book would be good for a student who is new to multiplication and division before they transition to doing it on their own with out visual aids.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did have a little bit of trouble doing multiplication when I was in elementary school. It wasn't that I wasn't smart enough to figure it out. It was just really, really boring. They sit you in a room called "math class" and the teacher gives you this little sheet numbered one to ten horizontally as well as one to ten vertically and with a few more numbers they call it a multiplication chart. I was in third grade and they expected us to memorize it. And guess who didn't, that's right, this girl. I wish I had known about this method years ago because in middle school I think I had yet to fully master multiplication, its so simple to use and literally only takes five minutes. Try out this book, you (and your child) won't regret it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly I was skeptical when I read this book would teach multiplication in 5 minutes. However, with a 5 year old preparing to enter kindergarten I have been looking for all resources to give her an advantage. With my daughter's young age I thought Sticks and Steps would be just an introduction for her. Instead, I found she was actually grasping the concepts and following the methods (literally within minutes). I am thrilled to help her build such an early math foundation. This is a must-have tool for all parents to elementary schoolers. So simple, but all the brilliant teaching techniques usually are!

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My older son struggled learning to multiply and divide and I saw my other child starting to. I was thrilled to see how quickly she learned through this systems. She learned how to multiply large numbers quickly and with no tears. Honestly if a child can count, they can multiply and divide. I can not wait to start to teach my youngest child to use the system in about another year when her counting skills are more secure. I plan on telling the teachers in the school system about this book because I would love to see them start using it. It was the best way I have ever seen to teach a child to multiply and divide.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Multiply and Divide with sticks and Steps is an easy to read book that walks you through a method of learning the math skills of multiplying and dividing. i found this book to be very easy to follow and by the end had found a new way to making math easier. I let my son read it and he said he found it enjoyable and could understand it very well. On a whole if you have a child struggling to learn these math skills and would like a new perspective on teaching the skill then I suggest you get this book. A definite two thumbs up.

[Terry]

This is a very helpful book, and I wish (a) we had had it much sooner; and (b) could use it to allow our daughter to show her work. This is not a book you complete in a few sittings, so it is best to start before they start studying multiplying and dividing at school.

You'll get lots of help and encouragement with learning multiplication and division.

[Krissy Bonning-Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I see something that touts "pain-free" and "only 5 minutes," I become a little skeptical. But as an educator myself and mama of 3, I can assure you that this method for learning to multiply and divide is just that: easy enough for a 5 year old and pain-free. I was very impressed with the layout and clarity of the book and it's examples. And the simplicity of the method itself makes me thump my head with a "why didn't I think of that!" response. BRILLIANT!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had been around when my older boys were learning multiplication and struggling. The technique is simple to apply and even kids that are not considered "special needs" can use the book.

I expected this book to cover the basic multiplication and division, but was pleased to see even concepts like square roots and least common multiple make an appearance.