Phase: | Before/Engage |
Activity: | The teacher will display the Arranging Desks word problem for the class. The teacher will read the word problem and allow the students to explore different ways to arrange 24 classroom desks. Students will record their array models on their paper and write a multiplication and division equation for each design.
As the students are building their designs, the teacher should walk around the room making sure the students are creating equal groups and identifying the relationship between multiplication and division. This activity is completely student-centered. The teacher is only the facilitator, guiding students through questioning when needed. This introductory activity will allow students of all abilities to explore multiplication and division. |
Assessment Strategies: | The teacher will observe the students' models, drawings, and equations as a formative assessment. |
Advanced Preparation: | The teacher should read over the Arranging Desks word problem. Each student will need something to write on and 24 counters or unifix cubes. |
Variation Tips (optional): | You may extend this activity by asking the students to build desk arrangements with other numbers. If a student struggles with dividing 24 counters, you may ask them to arrange 10, 12, or 16 desks. |
Notes or Recommendations (optional): | This activity can stand alone or be used as a Before/Engage activity for the following learning activities: Music Concert: Multiplication and Division Part II (During activity) Connecting Multiplication and Division: Part III (After activity) |
Keywords and Search Tags: | arrays, division, equal groups, multiplication |