Math Activity: Use Cereal Squares to Create Arrays
An array is simply an arrangement of something, and I love to provide tangible objects for my kids to arrange in such a way that they can SEE math happening right in front of them!
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Math Activity: Use Cereal Squares to Create Arrays
For example, these cereal squares were arranged in such a way that they show how two rows of five equal ten – or five columns of two equal ten.
In our homeschooling, we begin using arrays early on in our learning!
In the preschool years, we began by simply counting the individual items:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Then as we move past the counting stage, we begin talking about the different rows/columns/groups of items – adding them together to find totals:
5 + 5 = 10
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
It is around this time when we begin talking about counting by – and for this example, counting by 2’s:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Beyond that, arrays are fantastic for beginning to explore multiplication and division families:
2 x 5 = 10
5 x 2 = 10
10 ÷ 2 = 5
10 ÷ 5 = 2
Cereal squares are fun to use, but so are other objects, and literally anything goes: blocks, buttons, beans, toy vehicles, pretend animals – anything!
For example, in the fall, candy pumpkins are fun to use!
In looking at this example, what is your child ready to do?
Count:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Add:
6 + 6 = 12
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12
4 + 4 + 4 = 12
Count by 3’s:
3, 6, 9, 12
Count by 4’s:
4, 8, 12
Skip Counting Posters Available Here from The Stem Laboratory
Multiply and Divide:
3 x 4 = 12
4 x 3 = 12
12 ÷ 4 = 3
12 ÷ 3 = 4
Interested in more cereal-themed fun? Access these Free Cereal Box Book Report here:
Want to read more about our family’s Lifestyle of Homeschooling? Our daily schedule? A look at our week? I would be honored to share with you how we have adopted a lifestyle of living and learning together and how you can do the same with your own family:
