Multiplication Arrays Teaching Resources
Teaching about array multiplication this school year? Explore printable worksheets, fun games and more teacher-created resources to help students learn to use this multiplication strategy to solve tough maths problems!
Aligned with the Australian maths curriculum, the resources in this collection have been designed with both your lesson plans and students in mind, so you can skip the time you'd spend creating resources and dive right into the thing you love most — actually teaching! Explore printable and digital activities and games, plus editable options that you can easily differentiate for your students.
Is this your first year teaching students how to use arrays in multiplication, or are you just looking for some handy tips for teaching this strategy? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
How Do You Teach Multiplication Using Arrays?
Arrays have been used by mathematicians for more than a century, and there's a fair amount of evidence that they're truly helpful for young learners as they break down complex multiplication into simpler, more manageable parts.
Likewise, an array is a good way to reinforce the commutative property of multiplication.
But how do you actually teach students to use arrays successfully? Read on for a helpful definition, activities and examples to use with your class!
What Are Arrays in Multiplication? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Do you need a way to explain arrays to your students? Here's a handy script to use with your students!
An array is a way to organise groups of objects into equal rows and columns.
When we use an array, we create horizontal rows of numbers and vertical columns of numbers. This allows us to visualise how multiplication represents combining or grouping elements.
How to Use an Array in Multiplication
So how does this work? Let's look at an example of how to use an array to solve a multiplication problem.
Let's say you have the problem 4 x 3.
To solve this using an array:
- Create four rows with three dots in each row.
- Count the total number of dots to find the product.
The answer to 4 x 3 is 12, which is the total number of dots in the array.
Fun Ways to Use Array Multiplication to Engage Your Students
This collection is chock full of array activities to use in the classroom, but we didn't stop there! Here are some fun ideas from our teacher team to help your students understand how to use arrays to find the product of a problem!
Use Non-Traditional Manipulatives
The more wacky the manipulative, the more engaged your students tend to be. You can use small food items such as crackers, or why not visit a cheap shop for some plastic bugs?
Create Array Cityscapes
Turn your multiplication arrays into an art project! The neat rows of an array work perfectly to create windows in little skyscrapers, for example, which makes for a beautiful hallway bulletin board showing off all your students have learned!
Make it Colourful
Pull out the coloured pencils or colourful markers, and challenge students to turn their arrays into rainbows!
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Introduction to Multiplication Strategies Teaching Slides
Introduce your students to different multiplication strategies such as arrays, equal groups, repeated addition and skip counting with this 34-page slide deck.
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Match the Arrays Worksheet Pack
Give your students practise matching arrays and multiplication facts with these math worksheets for years 2 and 3.
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Cut and Paste Array Worksheets
Guide your students to match arrays and multiplication facts with these cut-and-paste worksheets.
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Hooray Arrays! Multiplication Worksheet Pack
Download this set of array worksheets to use when teaching your students how to relate addition and multiplication.
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Donut You Love Arrays? Interactive Task Cards
Help your students relate multiplication facts and arrays with this set of 24 interactive task cards.
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Array, Array, Go Away Dice Game
Reinforce how to match arrays and multiplication facts with this printable dice game.
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Multiplication Arrays Mini-Book
Teach your students about multiplication and array models with this printable mini-book.
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Multiplication Strategies – Classroom Poster Pack
Use this set of posters when teaching different multiplication strategies.
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Number Talks – Multiplication Representation Task Cards
Help your students discover different ways to represent multiplication with this set of number talk cards.
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Array Races Multiplication Game – Facts 2, 3, 5 and 10
Create arrays to fill the board with this fun multiplication game.
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Multiplication With Arrays Bingo
Review how arrays and multiplication facts are related with this whole-class Bingo game.
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Multiplication Array Puzzles
Guide your students to match arrays, multiplication facts and repeated addition sentences with this set of puzzles.
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Drawing Arrays Worksheet Pack
Review how to draw an array with your students as they complete this worksheet pack.
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Multiplication Using Arrays Worksheet
Encourage your students to practise multiplication using arrays with this worksheet.
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Multiplication with Arrays – Teaching Presentation
Teach your students how to connect multiplication with arrays with this 20-slide teaching presentation.
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Multiplication With Models Worksheet
Guide your students to determine the product of single-digit factors with various multiplication models.
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Multiplication With Arrays Task Cards for Year 2
Help your students master their understanding of multiplication arrays with this set of 20 task cards.
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Arrays Beanbag Toss
Engage your students with a fun, whole-class game when learning about arrays.
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I Have, Who Has? – Multiplication Representations
Use this whole-class game to reinforce your students’ understanding of the different representations of multiplication.
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Array Manipulatives
An activity for students to use when learning about arrays.
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Array Card Kaboom!
Boost your students’ understanding of arrays and multiplication with this engaging Kaboom card game.
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Array Match-Up Activity
Challenge your students to create sets of arrays, multiplication facts and products with this matching game.
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Arrays of Sunshine!
A 60 minute lesson in which students explore the concept of arrays.