Multiple Multiplication Representations Games
Third grade is such an important year for helping students make the shift from additive thinking to multiplicative thinking. Up to this point, addition has been their go-to strategy for putting numbers together. Now, they need experiences that help them see how multiplication is structured differently and how it connects to what they already know about repeated addition. When students can visualize that connection, they begin to appreciate the efficiency and power of multiplication.
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To support that work, I’m sharing a download that includes the classic Circles and Stars game along with three related versions. In the original game, students roll a die and draw that many circles, then roll again to determine how many stars to draw in each circle.
The download also includes three variations that highlight different representations of multiplication—equal groups (objects), equal groups (tally marks), arrays, and jumps on a number line. Using these activities in small group encourages mathematical discussions about how multiplication differs from addition and how each model shows the same relationship in a slightly different way. Once students are comfortable with the concepts, move the pages to a math workstation for continued independent practice.
These concrete and pictorial experiences help students make a smooth transition to abstract reasoning and deeper understanding.
Grab your free download to get started with Circles and Stars and its variations!
I love it…thanks so much for this. I have been following your blog for awhile now and I appreciate everything that you share.
Beth
Thinking of Teachingc
Aw, thanks, Beth! Enjoy the games!
Donna, this blog has so many great ideas. Thanks for always sharing!
I love your ideas. I am an avid fan and reader of your blog. Thanks so much for these…am going to try them tomorrow.
Thanks so much! I hope the kiddos love the games. 🙂
Thanks so much again! I had pinned this page during the summer and am using your pages today. We are doing Multiplication Mondays. Hope it will help the meaning of multiplication sink in. I am sure these ideas will help so much!
Oh, that sounds like fun! I have no doubt it will help them understand multiplication better. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! These certainly will help my special ed students “see” multiplication facts better!
Mary
Teaching Special Kids
My pleasure! And you’re absolutely right about your kiddos. Plus they’ll have fun with the activities. 🙂
Thank you for your ideas – both shared and purchasable. As a middle school math teacher new to 2nd grade – I really appreciate your approach!!
Wow, Linda, what a transition for you! When you’ve taught in older grades (I taught 5th for many years), I think you really appreciate activities that build a strong foundation.
Donna,
Thanks so much for these great activities to show different ways to help multiply. I’m starting to tutor a 4th grade tomorrow (every Tuesday and Thursday) for an hour and his mom wants me to focus on basic multiplication. I will be bringing this with me tomorrow. I think it’s a good way to start it and I think he will enjoy it!
Brian
Awesome, Brian! Glad the timing worked out so well for you. Be sure to check out Missing Factors Bunny Bump,too. 🙂
Thank you for posting on Facebook! I’m going to be working with my resource and intervention students on multiplication this year, so this is perfect! They will be able to see various representations of the facts, and understand what the facts are actually meaning. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Erin