Division with Arrays and Equal Groups - 3rd Grade

The introduction of multiplication in 3rd grade marks an important milestone in a child's mathematical development. Students transition from relying solely on counting strategies to understanding the relationship between repeated addition and multiplication. The resource covering "Multiplication with Groups, Arrays, and Repeated Addition - 3rd Grade"  can be downloaded from here

The next logical step afterwards is to approach the introduction of division in the same way, with visual support using Arrays and equal groupings. In fact by doing it this way, students will also get to see the connection between multiplication and division.  

Because division is the inverse, or “opposite,” of multiplication, Arrays help students understand how multiplication and division are related. For multiplication we want the product of two factors, in division are looking for a missing factor once you are given the other factor and the product, or in division terms a divisor and the dividend. 

Making their own arrays reinforces this relationship. Building arrays helps students see and think about the connection between the dividend, divisor and quotient and the building of the division equation.

Grouping objects into equal sets reinforces the understanding of division as splitting into equal parts.

Students learn that the total number of objects, the number of groups and number of items in each group can be connected and again expressed in a much more concise way with a division equation.

For each of the methods above there are multiple levels of differentiation to choose from which are detailed in the accompanying Guide when you download this resource 

• You can select from different ranges of numbers.
  

• You can select the amount of information your students are given before the actual building of the division equation. 

This means you have a wide range of worksheets to choose from that will allow you to set the level and pace of development according to the needs of your students.  In fact you have 16 sets at your disposal.   

Remember also that your students can repeat a level more than once. There are 16 sets of worksheets which feature a randomization button. With a single click, educators can generate an entirely new set of questions, making it a renewable resource for the entire school year. Be it for classwork, revision, or homework, the adaptability ensures students achieve proficiency in the topic.

Sometimes it can be difficult to explain to pupils exactly what they need to do on a worksheet. However, as you can change the questions instantly with a click of the button, you can show your students a worksheet on a whiteboard which will be different to the one you have given them. 

Each worksheet concludes with an automatically generated answer key on its second page, offering a quick reference point for educators. And if there's ever a need for a last-minute lesson or work for a substitute teacher, these sheets are a reliable fallback.

Lastly, it's essential to note that these resources are compatible PDF documents. They operate seamlessly with the official Adobe Acrobat Reader on both Windows and Mac. Plus, the randomizing features are effortlessly accessible via touchscreen devices or interactive whiteboards.