Week 8: Learning the Distributive Property
Hello, welcome to Week 8 of my blog entry!
This week, we are beginning Module 2 with a lesson on the distributive property.
Students are taking their multiplication facts and applying them to multiplying two-digit numbers. For example, 3 x 32 = ?.
In this equation, students must multiply 2 ones and 3 tens by 3.
To do this, they are given a place value chart where they can plot how many tens and ones are in 32. They plot the points, then multiply the place values. I show the students how to multiply using standard algorithm format. Like with addition, they must multiply one place value at a time.
Using the place value chart, they should get 90 tens and 6 ones. Added together, 3 x 32 = 96.
The distributive property is sure to be a challenging concept for my fourth graders. It unifies some key concepts and practices which we have been discussing during Module 1 including multiplication facts and expressing numbers and equations using standard form, unit form, and word form. I like employing the standard algorithm format and arrows to help guide their thinking.
I think I will begin my lesson tomorrow by reviewing math facts with them. I'll have a ball and pass it to random students and quiz them on their math facts. Then, we will review multiplying using standard algorithm, then I will introduce the distributive property and we will work together as a group then individually to solve these problems.
Hi Kevin! I really enjoyed how much detail you went into for this post. Seeing the students work really helped me understand more. I don't remember using a value chart when I was learning this, but in my future classroom that is something I will use for sure! It looks like it is very helpful. I also agree that using arrows can help guide their thinking.
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