🔢 Numbers & shapes · Ages 6–7 · about 3 weeks

Equal Groups (Multiplication)

Goal: Make equal groups, count them, and write them as repeated adding and as multiplication.

For parents: Multiplication starts as 'groups of': 3 groups of 4 is 4 + 4 + 4. Don't rush to times tables — the idea of equal groups comes first.

Do together

  1. Groups of snacks

    You need: Plates, small snacks

    Put 3 on each of 4 plates. How many plates? How many on each? How many altogether? Write 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 and 4 × 3 = 12.

  2. Circle the groups

    You need: Paper with drawings of 12 stars or birds

    Circle groups of 2. How many groups? Now circle groups of 3 on a fresh copy. Same number of stars, different groups.

  3. Egg-box arrays

    You need: An egg box or muffin tray

    Look at the rows and columns: 2 rows of 6, or 6 columns of 2. Both make 12.

Talk about it

  • Are all the groups the same size?
  • How many groups of 5 make 20?
  • What is 3 groups of 2 written as adding?

Words to use

  • groups of
  • equal
  • multiply
  • times
  • row
  • altogether

Play

  • Counting Stars
    Counting
  • Sort It Out
    Sorting
  • Add & Take Away
    Adding & taking away
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