Battle of Multipiers

On Monday, Ms Montilla asked BOPDs to create their own multiplication table in preparation for a game during Math Choices. Students needed to work in pairs. Using a chromebook, they needed to share each other's tables through Google Drive. Opponents needed to change ten cells on the multiplication table and once done the rightful owner needed to find the errors.

Multiplication Stategies

We have been focusing on the times tables of 2, 3,4,5 and 10. Today we played a game called number square where we apply our knowledge of products. In groups of three, we took turns to answer a multiplication equation.

Once an answer is given, a classmate challenges and asks for an explanation. We also created a list of the strategies that we use when solving multiplication problems. To extend the exercise, through the use of the application, we created a table with factors that we chose and continued to apply our knowledge of products. Ms Montilla invited us to a number talk after this to see how our strategies may be transfered. We eneded up looking at many ways of solving 38 x 6 and emphasizing once more that mistakes prove you're trying and help you know your next steps.

Using arrays as a strategy

After playing a game of multiplication, BOPDs created a pictograph to see what strategy is most commonly used in the classroom to solve multiplication problems. Based on our pictograph, many of us use known facts. The least used strategy was arrays so as a class, we reviewed arrays and how we can use it to model our solutions. BOPDs were given multiplication problems and then analyzed how the factors affected the shape of the array. They wrote they noticed on stickies and shared it with each other.

Modeling with Mathematics

BOPDs started off by reflecting about multiplication using two dogs and a target. Breaking into groups, students then shared their ideas. There were a couple of big ideas that popped up through this exercise. One was that multiplication and division are inverse operations. Another was that multiplication was repeated addition. Armed with these thoughts, students paired up and solved a one-digit by one-digit multiplication word problems. As they began, they used talk moves. These equip us with a way to start a sentence and allows us to focus on explaining our thinking to someone else and considering our partner's thinking too, as stated in mathematical practice number three.  Our goal is to state and explain our strategies to show different ways in solving problems.

Finding factors

Using a strategy called 1-2-4, we shared our definitions of the word, 'factor'. This helped us when we learned to play the game, "Finding Factors'. We analyzed all aspects of multiplication and discovered many important points. We know that multiplication can be expressed through arrays which are equal groups. We looked at arithmetic patterns of factors and their products. We also learned a prime number only has two factors, itself and one and that this is an illegal move in the game. We tried the game and applied our knowledge and skills in multiplication.

Sortify

Sortify is a multiplication game found on Brainpop that focuses on classifying numbers according the a rule. It's a game that compels the player to strategize and think about numbers. BOPDs are trying it out!

Mutiplication and division

Using a game called TIC TAC TOE, we used Math vocabulary words and chose three that compose a sentence. This game helps us share our understanding of multiplication and division. We looked at the multiples of 2, 3,4 ,5 and 10 and played a short game to exercise our fluency. Finally we used multiplication and division fact cards to emphasize the connection between the two operations. We went around challenging friends to give the product or the quotient on the fact card.

Traffic Lights

Using our traffic lights exit cards, students wrote what they understand about multiplication. Students paired up to highlight words that helped them make sense of a problem that Ms Montilla shared. They used their knowledge of different ways to solve a problem and then reflected about their learning.

Mathematical Claims

BOPDs learned a game that entailed multiplying a number by another two-digit number.  The game was called "Target to 300". The class enjoyed the demonstration of their classmates and was intrigued by the chances of numbers rolled on a die. There were many mathematical claims shared during this process.

The game has two players who take turns rolling the die and scribing a product. The goal is to reach 300.