4 Ways of Using Pictures when Learning to Multiply
When it comes to learning multiplication, sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words. Many students have difficulty with the abstract concept of multiplying numbers together. However, by using different types of pictures, teachers can make multiplication more hands-on and memorable for their students. In this blog post, we will discuss four different ways that teachers can use pictures when learning to multiply.
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Using Pictures when learning to multiply #1 Ten Frames
Ten frames can be very helpful for students to visualize the groups that go into multiplication. Using ten frames will also let students know when the numbers are going to go up in the tens place. This is helpful because when students see that they are dealing with numbers in the tens place, it will help them to understand that the numbers are going to increase by ten.
To use ten frames when teaching multiplication, teachers can start by printing out a ten-frame worksheet. On this worksheet, there should be two columns of five boxes each. This will allow students to do their multiplication facts within 100 which will get them through most of their multiplication tables. If you want them to practice with higher numbers you can give students two of these sheets. Normally students would use counters to skip count their way through their multiplication tables. I; however, feel like it sticks in kids’ heads better and is just more fun to either have students draw pictures into the ten frames or to use preprinted pictures or mini erasers.
If you are having students draw pictures you can laminate the ten frames worksheets so they can do this with dry-erase markers and you can use these sheets over and over. You can do the same thing with printed pictures or mini erasers so that your ten frames can be used over and over for math.
Using Pictures When Learning to Multiply #2 Arrays
Another great visual way for students to see multiplication is through arrays. Arrays can be made with just about anything you have in your classroom. You could use crayons, markers, blocks, paper clips, mini erasers, etc. Anything that you have a lot of and can lay out in a grid will work for an array.
Another way to make an array multiplication activity you can use graph paper. You can give students multiplication problems and they will color in an array on the graph paper to show the multiplication problem through arrays. This idea will also help them understand the area of squares and rectangles.
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Using Pictures When Learning to Multiply # 3 Manipulatives
Manipulatives can be used in ten frames or arrays like from above. You can also use manipulatives in different contexts like working on repeated addition or grouping to teach multiplication.
For example, if you have a group of 24 students and you want them to sit in groups of four you could use manipulative to count out how many groups of four there would be. You could also do this with something like M&Ms. If you have 20 M&Ms and you want them in groups of five it will be easier. Using food as manipulatives is also amazing for kids because after they can eat the food. Overall, this just gets their attention more and makes them more focused on learning their multiplication tables.
If you cannot work with food in your classroom you can use the same type of idea with base ten blocks or mini-erasers.
Using Pictures When Learn to Multiply #4 Skip Counting Groups Pictures
Skip counting is another great way to teach multiplication but just doing this with numbers can be abstract. I was watching a school house rock video with my class today and they were skip counting by 3 and there were pictures to go along with the counting which I found made the concept really click in my students’ minds.
You could use any type of picture but I think it is important to make sure that the pictures are all facing the same way. This will help students see that they are adding in groups. You could also do this with words if you wanted your students to practice their multiplication facts with addition sentences.
You students can practice all of these concepts with my multiplication lesson plans click here to grab your copy.
I hope these ideas give you some ways to make your multiplication practice more concrete and hands-on for your students. Learning their multiplication facts is such an important skill for students and if they have a strong foundation with their multiplication tables it will set them up for success in so many future math concepts.
I would love to hear how you use pictures when teaching your students multiplication in the comments below! Do you have any other great ideas? Please share!:)
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