On Thursday the students had an opportunity to explore some hands on math materials, including pattern block template puzzles, geoboard geometry, and array multiplication. Multiplication is being introduced as repeated addition.
Ex. 3 x 5 is the same as 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 (3 five times)
or
5 x 3 is the same as 5 + 5 +5 (5 three times)
When children can see multiplication simply as repeated addition,
it is often less intimidating. The concept is more approachable when students realize it's the same addition skills they've been using all along! The arrays on grid paper (see photo below) allow a concrete visual, and emphasize the concept of equal groups.
(Same number of squares in each row or column.)
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