Browsed by
Category: Number and Operations

Set Model of Multiplication

Set Model of Multiplication

This is an easy activity to do with students that shows the set model of multiplication: number of groups x number of objects in each group. Students (or the teacher) chooses the number of groups/circles to work with. Then they choose how many they want in each group and use stickers, rubber stamps or actual object to place in each circle. Students can glue their circles onto construction paper and record the multiplication equation underneath. Makes a great bulletin board!…

Read More Read More

Name Patterns: A Fun First Week of School Activity

Name Patterns: A Fun First Week of School Activity

Patterns. It was always a theme throughout the school year in my mathematics classes. So to kick-off patterns, during the first week of school, the students create a color pattern using their name. Then, we discuss the patterns made by names of different lengths. It may seem like a simple activity, but some great conversations can be generated when students focus on the reasons why certain patterns appear. For example, in the photo above, there are 15 squares in each…

Read More Read More

Subitizing with Dominoes

Subitizing with Dominoes

I love doing this activity with kindergartners and first graders! Not only is it a great way for them to practice their addition facts but these little guys LOVE writing on their individual white board, so it’s a win/win! And it’s so simple. Here’s what you do: Without turning it on, put ONE domino on the overhead projector or doc camera. Tell students that you are going to flash a domino for a few seconds and their job is to…

Read More Read More

Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

Reason Abstractly and Quantitatively

Estimates help us predict the reasonableness of an answer. Having students make an estimate before they perform the calculation, and even writing the estimate next to the problem, can help them to focus on making the numbers (and the problem) make sense. Example: 3.2 x 9.8 = Students use benchmarks to determine that 3.2 is close to 3 and 9.8 is close to 10, therefore, a reasonable estimate would be 3 x 10 = 30. If students perform the actual…

Read More Read More

Multiplication Facts the Fun Way

Multiplication Facts the Fun Way

Here’s a super simple activity that helps students to “see” multiplication facts. It’s also a great way for them to see the connection between addition and subtraction as they “use addition to find the total number of objects arranged in rectangular arrays” (CCSSM 2.OA.C.4) and to “interpret products of whole numbers” (CCSSM 3.OA.A.1). Using inch graph paper, have students make rectangular arrays and record the rows (horizontal) and columns (vertical) as multiplication equations. This is a good time to discuss…

Read More Read More