"Facts to Fiction" Basic Multiplication
by Pam Lemoine, pam.lemoine@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
Math

Grade Level(s)
4, 5, 

Overview
Working in pairs, using two handhelds per pair, the students will work together to develop an understanding of basic multiplication facts by constructing animated arrays using Sketchy on one handheld. As they contruct the arrays, they will use Memo on the other handheld to write an equation for each fact. They will then use the equations to write and solve story problems in Note Pad.

Software
Sketchy, Note Pad, Memo and PDA Reach (optional)

Technology
Elmo (optional)
Class set of handhelds

Objectives
TLW use Sketchy to construct arrays to illustrate multiplication facts.

TLW use Note Pad to write mathematical equations that represent the facts illustrate by the arrays.

TLW create and solve story problems

Procedures
Working in pairs, one student will work with Sketchy and the other with Note Pad on an additional handheld.

1.Working collaboratively with a partner, Student One uses Sketchy to illustrate multiplication facts by drawing arrays.
a. Student One opens a “new” show in Sketchy.
b. On slide 1, Student One draws one row
containing three circles.
c. Student One copies slide one
d. On slide 2, Student One draws a row
containing 3 circles directly above the
first row.
e. Student One continues copying slides and
adding rows until they have completed 9 rows
or a 9 x 3 array.

2. Each time Student One has created a new slide, Student Two uses Note Pad to write a multiplication equation for each slide.
Example: 3x2=6; 3x3=9 (addition facts could be written as well)

3. After writing the equations for all slides, the pair plays the slideshow watching the multiples grow and checking their equations.

4. The pair repeats this process several times using different numbers.

5. Once students have “made the connection”, both students will use the equations to write a story problem using storybook characters (facts to fiction) in Memo on Student One’s handheld.

6. Using PDA Reach or an Elmo, call on volunteers to share their story problem with the class to solicit a solution OR students can
beam their problems “pair to pair” keeping in mind that Student Two will need to use his/her handheld to receive the beam since the story problem is on Student One’s handheld.

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 8/26/2006 6:10:53 PM