Thursday, August 28, 2014

Making Models with Multiplication Facts

Automaticity with number facts readies students for higher level math learning.

A good way to start fifth grade is to couple math fact review with model making.

One way to do this is to model the math facts using number lines.

Students "scoop count" or make "jumps" on the number line to show what it means to count by multiples of a number.

Once you and the students skip count on the number line together, you take time to analyze what you notice with depth. Chart the observations.

Not only is this a good way to rehearse multiplication facts, but it's also a positive way to revisit the use of number lines.

Other ways to make models with multiplication facts is to make arrays and coordinate grids.