Jay, a 2nd grader, multiplies 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, three ways!

In method 1. Jay used the distributive property (Don never used this term),  multiplying 2  x  2 1/2  then added 1/2 x 2 1/2 . In method 2. he made a picture on 1/2" graph paper and added the squares, and in method 3. he changed each mixed number to a fraction, then multiplied them.

Method 1.

Fine job Jay!