Parent guide · Grade 3 Math · Unit 3
Lesson 3.1 Equal Groups and Arrays
Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.
At a glance
- Time
- 5 sessions of 25–30 minutes
- Goal
- Write multiplication for equal groups and arrays.
- You need
- Counters (dried beans, buttons or pebbles)
- Dice
- Pencil and crayons
- A King James Bible
- Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page
Steps
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “10 × 5” Listen for: 50
- Ask: “5 × 5” Listen for: 25
- Ask: “10 × 8” Listen for: 80
- Ask: “5 × 3” Listen for: 15
- Ask: “3 × 2” Listen for: 6
Say this: “3 × 4 means 3 groups of 4. It is a quick way to add 4 + 4 + 4.”
Say this: “An array of 3 rows of 4 shows the same product: 12.”
Say this: “Factor: a number being multiplied.”
Say this: “Product: the answer to a multiplication.”
Show: 2 × 8 = ___
Say this: “2 groups of 8: 8 + 8 = 16”
Answer: 16
Show: A cobbler makes 6 pairs of shoes a day. How many pairs does he make in 4 days?
Say this: “Unknown: the total.”
Say this: “Bar model: 4 equal parts of 6; the whole is unknown.”
Say this: “Equation: 4 × 6 = ?”
Say this: “4 × 6 = 24”
Say this: “Answer: He makes 24 pairs.”
Answer: 24 pairs. He makes 24 pairs.
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: Write a multiplication fact for the array. How many in all?
Listen for: 4 × 2 = 8
If stuck: There are 4 rows of 2.
Ask: Write a multiplication fact for the array. How many in all?
Listen for: 2 × 5 = 10
If stuck: There are 2 rows of 5.
Ask: Write a multiplication fact for the array. How many in all?
Listen for: 4 × 6 = 24
If stuck: There are 4 rows of 6.
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
- Adding the factors: 3 × 4 is not 7.
Roll two dice. Build that many rows and columns with beans or buttons, then say the fact: “4 rows of 6 is 24.” Keep a tally of facts you know instantly.
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Write multiplication for equal groups and arrays.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God told mankind to multiply and to rule the earth well. Multiplying is growing by equal groups.
Skip count by 2s, 5s, 10s, 3s and 4s to the tenth multiple. Fact drill (one minute) on Fridays.
Spread over the week
5 sessions of 25–30 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.
- Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
- Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
- Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
- Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
- Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.