Arrays
Background Information & Activities

Arrays can help your children develop concepts of multiplication and division. An array is a set of objects organized into equal groups. For example, 6 objects can be arranged into several different arrays: 1 group of 6 objects, 6 groups with 1 object in each group, 3 groups with 2 objects in each group, or 2 groups with 3 objects in each group. Arrays are all around us: A pack of socks might have 3 pairs, a carton of eggs might have 2 rows of 6 eggs, a tray of muffins might have 3 rows of 2 muffins, etc. Together with your children, think of objects that are grouped in sets. Familiarize them with arrays by organizing objects in different ways.

Arrays can help people count more easily. Explain to your children that instead of counting objects one by one, they can organize the objects into equal groups and count the groups. Remind your children that when they multiply, they put equal groups together to find the total. Like addition and subtraction, multiplication is an operation, a way to manipulate numbers. We use the symbol x to show multiplication. In the number sentence 3 x 2, you must add the number 3 two times in order to find the product, or answer. You can also add the number 2 three times in order to find the answer. Remind children that the order in which numbers are multiplied does not affect the outcome: 3 x 2 will yield the same answer as 2 x 3. Draw or model different arrays and have children write multiplication number sentences that describe them.

Introducing your children to arrays at an early age will help build a solid foundation for multiplication and division. Arrays can help your children visualize and understand more complicated math operations.

Arrays Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Arrays Family Activities – Click Here!

Arrays Teacher Activities

An Array of Arrays

Give bags of counters, beans, coins, or other small objects to small groups or partners. Have them arrange the objects into equal groups and discuss different ways to organize the same number of objects. Remind students that the groups should have equal numbers of objects. Have students draw their different arrangements and practice counting the groups. Help students write multiplication or addition number sentences to go with each arrangement to calculate the total.

Egg Carton Counting

Have students work in small groups and give each group a half-dozen egg carton. Have one student put beans or counters in each section of the carton. Remind the student to put in the same number of beans or counters in each section. Then have the other students in the group count to find the total number. Have students discuss different strategies to count, such as counting on, skip-counting, or making an addition or multiplication sentence. Have students write down and compare their answers. Allow each student in the group an opportunity to fill the egg carton.

Arrays Family Activities

Arrays at the Market

Take a trip to the grocery store with your child. Help your child find different examples of arrays and count them. For example, you can point out a dozen eggs, half-dozen tray of muffins, or bunches of flowers. Help your child identify the number of objects in each group and the total number of groups. Then help him or her count groups to find the total number of objects.

Ways to Make Six

Give your child six pieces of small fruit, such as berries, plums, or apricots. Then have your child group the fruit in different ways, making sure that each group has the same number of pieces. Your child may want to make 1 group of 6 pieces, 2 groups of 3 pieces each, etc. After your child makes equal groups, help him or her count the pieces and write an addition or multiplication sentence to describe each arrangement. You can repeat the activity using other even numbers, such as 4, 8, and 12.