All students in all math levels have reached multiplication or very soon will reach the multiplication unit. I had decided to take this time to focus on multiplication as a whole-class. We have a short amount of math time before our long break taking into consideration Spanish lessons, weekly hikes, and assessments. This will give all students the chance to conceptually learn multiplication, how to solve for multiplication if facts are not memorized, and different strategies to show multiplication.
We have learned 4 different strategies to solve for a multiplication equation:
1. skip counting; we have learned how to skip count as well as using skip counting as a number line for solving equations.
2. addition
3. pictorial/grouping
4. arrays
These strategies give students who do not have math facts memorized the opportunity to succeed, however please support students with math facts practice.
Give your student an equation and ask them to use any of these strategies to solve! We will continue working on multiplication with different activities and projects.
*I an anticipating returning completed work home with your student within these two weeks. I will tell students to give the completed work to parents and that parents are expecting it.
Please refer to "Resources for home" to support your student during our winter break.
Have happy holidays!
