Making Arrays - PowerPoint

Mathematics resources for Year 1 pupils introduce the concept of arrays, a foundational element for understanding multiplication and division. An array is defined as a set of objects or pictures arranged in rows and columns, providing a visual method to comprehend and organise numbers. The materials explain the difference between a row, which is a horizontal line of objects stretching from left to right, and a column, which is a vertical line of objects extending upwards and downwards. This clear distinction is crucial for students as they begin to describe and work with arrays in various activities.

The teaching resources include PowerPoint presentations and worksheets that encourage students to identify and describe arrays, noting the number of rows, columns, and the total count of items within the array. For example, an array with 2 rows and 4 columns would contain 8 items in total. Additionally, students are tasked with drawing or building arrays to represent given repeated addition sentences, such as "5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 20", which helps them visualise the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. The materials also contain exercises where students must complete sentences and solve problems related to arrays, further reinforcing their understanding of the topic.