Multiplication and division - Make equal groups grouping - Planning

In the third week of Spring term, Year 2 students delve into the concept of making equal groups through grouping, a fundamental step in understanding multiplication and division. The lesson begins with a warm-up where children double numbers using their fingers, setting the stage for revisiting the idea of equal groups. The key vocabulary for this lesson includes 'division', 'multiplication', and 'repeated addition', with resources such as differentiated sheets and teaching slides available to support learning.

The class teaching input focuses on practical engagement, where children use concrete equipment to physically create equal groups from a total number. This hands-on approach allows students to explore grouping with different quantities, such as making equal groups of 2, 3, or 4 from a given number, like 6. This activity naturally leads to discussions about numbers that do not evenly divide, enhancing their comprehension of equality within groups. Pictorial modelling is also used to reinforce these concepts. Throughout the lesson, key questions prompt students to think critically about the nature of equal groups, addressing common misconceptions such as the visual arrangement of groups affecting their equality. The plenary encourages reflection on what they've learned, the skills they've used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated activities cater to varying levels of understanding, from counting groups in structured arrangements to dealing with numbers that do not form equal groups and require consideration of remainders.