This unit is the first of a series of multiplication and division units that are distributed throughout the year. The units emphasize the development of multiplication concepts and their use in solving problems, rather than presenting multiplication simply as a series of isolated facts. Research has shown that this approach results in good achievement, good retention, and less time required to master computation skills.
In
this unit, students work with multiplication in many settings. They make a class
list similar
to the one shown here and use it to create multiplication problems. Children
will write stories involving multiplication such as, “There are eight legs on a
spider. How many legs do six spiders have altogether?” Through exploration, your
child will come to understand that there are several possible ways to solve such
problems. As the unit progresses, ask your child about the problems we worked on
in class and some of the strategies students used to solve them. Help your child
at home with the following activities.
• Group List. Discuss with your child the list of groups the class made at school. Make up problems using items on the list. For example, while you are in the car, you might say, There are four tires on each car, and I see six cars. How many tires in all?
• Multiplication Facts. Take turns choosing multiplication facts to illustrate with stories and drawings. If your child chooses 4 X 5, you might draw a picture of four apples on five trees. Your child may draw a picture of four kittens in five baskets. Compare the stories and write number sentences for each: 4 X 5 = 20.
• Subtraction Facts. Help your child study the subtraction facts if he or she is still working on them.
Thank you for your continued efforts to discuss real-world problems.
