Draw five 2-by-3 block grids to represent the two 3-digit numbers stacked, one over the other, in a multiplication problem. These five grids provide the steps (one through five) of multiplying or multiplying and adding the numbers in the 3-digit numbers being multiplied by each other. With the red pen, draw a double-headed arrow in the first grid pointing between the top right box and the bottom right box.
Draw a red arrow in the second grid, pointing between the top right box and the bottom middle box. Then draw another red arrow, crossing over that one, between the bottom right box and the top middle box.
Move on to the third grid and draw a red arrow between the top right corner box and the bottom left corner box, a second red arrow between the top left corner box and the bottom right corner box and a third between the top middle box and the bottom middle box.
Draw in the fourth grid, a red arrow pointing between the top left box and the bottom middle box, then a second red arrow between the top middle box and the bottom left box. In the fifth and final grid, draw a red arrow pointing between the top left corner box and the left corner box.
Look at the two 3-digit numbers that will be multiplied. If necessary, rewrite them so you have two 3-digit numbers with one over the other in a multiplication format (as opposed to side-by-side).
Follow the order of the grids with red arrows and multiply the numbers in the following ways:
Grid No.1 has one arrow pointing between the top right and bottom right boxes; multiply the top right and bottom right numbers in your 3-digit multiplication problem, write the first digit underneath the problem and write the second digit above the problem to carry over.
Multiply according to Grid No. 2, which has two crossing arrows between the right and middle boxes; multiply the top right and bottom middle numbers then add to the product of the top middle and bottom right numbers. Add the number carried over, write the first digit and carry over the second.
Continue multiplying and adding digits according to the five grids, writing the first digit and carrying over the second. When a grid contains only one red arrow, multiply the numbers that the arrows point to (in the 3-digit multiplication problem) and write the number down in the answer section, carrying the first digit as necessary. If the grid contains more than one red arrow, multiply the numbers for each arrow, then add all the answers together and use this sum in the answer section, carrying over the first digit as necessary.