Activities to Teach Students About Dividing With Arrays
Dividing with arrays is a fundamental arithmetic concept that all students must familiarize themselves with early on. It enables them to comprehend the properties of division, such as repeated subtraction, and provides a foundation for future mathematical concepts such as fractions, decimals, and proportions. Explaining and demonstrating this concept can be challenging for educators, but several activities may help students grasp the concept and master it. This article discusses some of these activities.
1. Introduction to Arrays
Begin by providing students with a robust understanding of arrays. Arrays are groups of objects, typically arranged in rows and columns. They could be pictures, blocks, or any other object that can be counted. The placement of the items in an array is significant since it determines how many rows and columns will be required to replicate the array.
2. Interpret Numerical Expressions
Provide students with an opportunity to explore numerical expressions by creating different arrays based on a single multiplication equation. For instance, 6 x 4 could be represented as six rows of four objects in each row, or four rows each containing six objects. It is vital to recognize that the two arrays represent the same quantity even though the arrangement is different.
3. Division as Repeated Subtraction
Help students understand that division is a form of repeated subtraction. Guide students through the steps involved in repurposing arrays to calculate division problems such as 36 divided by 6. Start by creating six rows of six objects, then instruct students to move six objects from each row until all objects have been removed. After six iterations, students should have removed all 36 objects from the arrays.
4. Division Vocabulary
Provide students with a comprehensive vocabulary list that can be used when discussing division problems. For example, the dividend is the total number being divided, while the divisor is the factor by which it is being divided. The quotient, or answer to the problem, is the resulting number. After introducing these words, provide students with a variety of division problems to solve using arrays.
5. Division Matching Game
Create a division matching game by cutting up an array into several pieces. For instance, you could cut a seven-row, six-column array into 28 individual pieces. Mix up the pieces and distribute them to students. They should then work together, matching the dividend with its respective divisor and quotient by counting the objects and arranging them in the correct way.
In conclusion, teaching students about dividing with arrays can be a difficult task, but with the right activities and instruction, it can be a fun and engaging experience. Introduce numerical expressions and division vocabulary, and provide opportunities for students to interpret problems using arrays. Allow for collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, as this will help students master the concept and develop a deep understanding of division. With these skills, students are better prepared to tackle future mathematical challenges.