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Maths · Ages 7–8 · 50 minutes

Multiplication with arrays

Children use arrays to represent multiplication, write two multiplication facts for each array and use an array to work out a fact they don't know.

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Success criteria

  • I can build an array in rows and columns
  • I can write two facts for one array
  • I can split an array to work out a harder fact

Key vocabulary

  • array
  • row
  • column
  • multiply
  • product
  • commutative
  • equal groups

You will need

  • counters or cubes
  • squared paper
  • egg boxes or muffin tins
  • mini whiteboards

Curriculum links

  • Year 3· England
  • Grade 2· United States
  • Primary 3· Nigeria
  • Class 3· India

Practice sheets

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The lesson at a glance

50 minutes in all. Timings are a guide: follow your class.

  1. Step 1: Starter

    Show a picture of an egg box with 2 rows of 6.
    8 minutes

  2. Step 2: Teach

    Build an array with counters: 3 rows of 4.
    12 minutes

  3. Step 3: Guided practice

    In pairs with counters.
    10 minutes

  4. Step 4: Independent practice

    Use the practice buttons above.
    15 minutes

  5. Step 5: Plenary

    Show an array of 4 rows of 8 with one row covered.
    5 minutes

  6. Step 6: Assessment for learning

    Look for children who: read rows and columns correctly; write both facts without prompting; split a larger array using a fact they know (often 5 × or 10 ×).

  7. Step 7: Differentiation

    Children who need support should build every array with counters or in a muffin tin before writing a fact.

  8. Step 8: Common misconceptions

    Mixing up rows and columns.

  9. Step 9: Home link

    Look for arrays at home or in shops, such as egg boxes, muffin tins or tiled walls, and ask your child to write two times facts for each.

1.Starter

8 minutes

Show a picture of an egg box with 2 rows of 6. "How many eggs? Don't count in ones." Take answers and methods: 6 + 6, 2 lots of 6, counting in 2s down the columns. Celebrate every method that works.

Quick recall on whiteboards: 5 × 2, 3 × 10, 4 × 5.

2.Teach

12 minutes

Build an array with counters: 3 rows of 4.

"An array is objects arranged in rows and columns. Rows go across, like seats in a cinema. Columns go up and down, like pillars. This array has 3 rows with 4 in each row. So it's 3 × 4 = 12."

Turn the board (or the tray) a quarter turn. "Now how many rows? 4 rows of 3. Did the number of counters change? No. So 4 × 3 = 12 too. One array, two facts."

Step by step

  1. Count the rowsHow many rows going across?
  2. Count how many in each rowThat's the size of each group.
  3. Write both factsRows × number in a row, and the other way round. Both make the same product.

Now the useful part. Draw a 6 × 7 array on squared paper. "I don't know 6 × 7 yet. But I can split the array." Draw a line after 5 rows. "5 rows of 7 is 35. 1 more row of 7 is 7. 35 + 7 = 42. So 6 × 7 = 42."

The rest of the plan

Guided and independent practice, the plenary, assessment for learning, differentiation, common misconceptions and the home link are free with a Crayonbird account.

  1. Guided practice10 minutes
  2. Independent practice15 minutes
  3. Plenary5 minutes
  4. Assessment for learning
  5. Differentiation
  6. Common misconceptions
  7. Home link
See the whole plan, free

Learning Wiki

Multiplication

Multiplication is adding equal groups quickly. 4 × 3 means 4 groups of 3 (or 3 groups of 4), which makes 12. The answer is called the product.

Pictograms

A pictogram shows data using small pictures or symbols. A key tells you what each picture is worth, such as one apple standing for 2 apples. In the US it is often called a picture graph.

Subtraction

Subtraction is taking one amount away from another, or finding the difference between two numbers. The sign is −, so 9 − 4 = 5.

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