7 Ways to Teach Arrays and Repeated Addition
We don’t want students to just memorize multiplication facts – we want them to understand how multiplication works! This is why repeated addition (like 3+3+3) and arrays are powerful strategies to make beginning multiplication accessible and engaging to all students.
If you need an explanation of arrays, here is a good one for teachers.
Read on for 7 teaching strategies!
Make Arrays Life-Size
Make a life-size grid on the floor with painter’s tape! Then pose your repeated addition questions, and have kids hop into the grid squares and sit down. The other students can then solve the equations – for example 2 rows of 5 kids = 10 kids, and the repeated addition equation might be 5 + 5 = 10.
2. Using Checkerboards/Chess Boards
Use standard size boards like this one and use the checkers or other manipulatives to create your arrays. You can also use the giant checkerboard rugs/blankets so your entire class can easily see or join in the lesson.
Use Real Life Objects
You can even ask students to find something at home that might show an array. You might get items like theres:
- egg cartons
- muffin trays
- bubble wrap
- Hershey bars
- Twister Game Board
- Connect 4 Game
Create Arrays with Classroom Objects or Objects from Nature
- magnets
- pattern blocks
- game pieces
- pennies
- pebbles
Keep reading for 3 more ways to teach arrays and repeated addition in an accessible and engaging way to all students!
Videos!
These two below are great and there are many more kid-friendly videos available if you have 2-5 minutes. Remember, I always suggest you watch the whole video before you should it to your class. Due diligence, right?
Pop its /Fidget Poppers
They are so handy because kids can see the arrays. You can also cut them in to smaller arrays, like 5×2 and using them in math for making a 10 (hello differentiation)! I get them for pretty good prices at Amazon (for example 12 full size for $18.99) or Walmart. I even use the giant fidget popper sometimes!
Ready to Go Resource that Incorporates Pop Its
You can find tons of these at Teachers Pay Teachers, and of course I made some for my own second graders. It’s Pop it Math Arrays and Repeated Addition! (PSST it will be on sale the week of July 23rd, 2023). Check out some sneak peeks below. Click on any image or video to get more info. They are super fun!
You can also grab all the Pop it Math resources together in one bargain bundle at Teachers Pay Teachers. Click here or on the image below to learn more about it and all the awesome hands on math resources included!
If you want to know what other teachers say who have seen success using this arrays and repeated addition resource with students:
“My students were SO engaged by this activity. I used it first in small groups, but plan to add it into my station rotation so they can continue to practice it independently. Thanks for a great resource!”
“As a recently assigned Learning Support teacher for our 3-5 graders, I need resources that will fit my diverse learners in our classroom. I look for engaging materials and resources to assist in making my lessons run efficiently and are easy to use. Thank you for helping meet these needs.”
And for the bundle:
“My class loves using this and it’s only been 2 days!”
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