Multiplication Array Activities to Introduce Multiplication Concepts
How do you teach multiplication in your classroom? There are several different concepts that students need to learn regarding multiplication, in addition to the traditional number sentence and multiplication fact. Students need to learn about arrays, things that come in groups, and that each group is an equal set of objects.
Learn about Arrays
To help my students learn about arrays, I use an activity from Marilyn Burn’s K-8 About Teaching Mathematics book.
The activity is Candy Boxes. You set up a situation where students have to make boxes for candies that are either rectangular or square (no L-shape boxes!).
I first start out with boxes for 6, 12, and 24 candies. They have to find all the combinations and cut them out of grid paper. Students write the multiplication expression on the array (rows x columns). They then need to write a letter to the president of the candy company explaining which box would be the best. I got some cute answers for that one! Some students saw that bigger boxes would be better because they had more candy in them. Others did not.
Make An Array Chart
I extended the activity and students had to find all the different candy boxes for the numbers 1-36. The last week before the holidays got away from us, so we haven’t debriefed this in class yet, but the idea is to have a class discussion about the patterns they notice. There are a ton of patterns (some only have two arrays (prime numbers), some have even or odd amounts (square numbers), etc.
I love looking for patterns in math and my second graders are just starting to see more and more complex patterns.
How do you teach arrays in class?
Looking for more ideas to teach multiplication?
Check out this post about helping students learn their facts or other blog posts below!
i like this and need to do more arrays with my students. I do a lot of skip counting with my students as a way to teach multiplication. Then when they take tests they have a strategy they can use.
I am a teacher currently teaching via computer because of Covid 19. I teach 2nd grade and find your math hands on, fun and meaningful! Thank you so much!