In our multiplication unit, students have been using an array model to help them visualize the organization of things in equal rows. Today, we worked on finding the total number of squares (or area) in an array. Students also thought about the following essential question as they worked: How can I find the product of an array more easily? This led many students to the idea of decomposing (breaking down) arrays. The following is the work that students completed during the math workshop.
An array is a model for multiplication (and eventually division too). The goal is for kids to transfer this thinking to multiplication equations using mental math, without an array present. For example, a student might solve 8x6 as (4x6) + (4x6) or (8x3) + (8x3).
