We are into our first official math, which is beginning multiplication and division. The big idea in this unit is that kiddos understand multiplication as finding “groups of” things. They will be using skip counting, repeated addition and adding on to known facts as they work through the unit. This will help as they practice basic facts and apply the knowledge of multiplicative thinking. We started the study with a scenario involving a grocery store, where mathematicians figured out how many were in the store–using a picture of the produce section, where fruits were found in groups. They also figured out how much groups of things cost, based on a price for a single item.

Then we moved on to stamps, which also come in sheets that make groups, and prices for a sheet can be determined by using the same strategies. We worked with partners to figure out totals and explain our thinking.

We play games during math, as well, and we learned a fun one recently–Tenzi! It’s based on ten dice and the goal is to roll all the same of one number before your partner. We’ve added in multiplicative thinking by making sure you also tell your partner how many dots you have at the end of the game. Kids are loving it!

I’m excited to see where kiddos go and grow as we continue with multiplication and then connect that thinking to division. We continue to practice automaticity of basic facts, daily, too, and we’re on a roll! What do you remember about learning to multiply and divide?