Multiplication

We are beginning to learn the concept of multiplication. The most important idea is that when you are multiplying, there must be equal groups. That means each group should have the same number of objects in them. The children brainstormed things that usually come in groups: 2 hands on a person, 5 fingers on a hand, 8 legs on an octopus... Over vacation you can have fun telling simple multiplication stories using objects like these that usually come in groups.

For example:

There are four cars in the driveway. Each car has 4 wheels. How many wheels in all?

Remind your third grader that there are equal groups because all 4 cars have 4 wheels. Some children will be able to find the answer mentally, others may skip count by 4s to find the answer, others may benefit from drawing a picture to show all the wheels. Regardless of process, the children should understand that they are finding 4 x 4 or 4 groups of 4.

We'll spend lots of time practicing in the new year!