Multiplication and division - Use Arrays - Starter

For Year 3 students in their Autumn term, Week 9, Day 3, the lesson begins with a focus on using arrays to understand multiplication and repeated addition. The 'Fluent in Four' revision starter poses a series of questions designed to test the students' numerical fluency. They are asked to write both the multiplication sentence and the equivalent repeated addition for given examples. For instance, 'ten × 5' is presented with the answer '50', and students are prompted to complete similar calculations, such as '6 × 5'. The aim is to reinforce the concept that multiplication is a method of adding equal groups together, a foundational skill in mathematics.

The lesson continues with a variety of problems that encourage students to apply their understanding of multiplication and division. They are tasked with identifying shapes, specifically triangles, from a group of letters, and calculating the passage of time between a start and end point. Additionally, students are given a practical scenario involving equal groups, where they must determine the total number by using both repeated addition and multiplication. For example, '3 equal groups with 2 in each group' can be expressed as '2 + 2 + 2 = 6' or '2 x 3 = 6'. This hands-on approach helps students to visualize mathematical concepts and understand the relationships between different operations.