This math resource makes the distributive property of multiplication easier for you to teach and for your students to learn with visual models to guide the way.

Includes:

Anchor Charts/Posters:

• Definition poster
• Distributive property using arrays (step-by-step)
• Distributive property using decomposition (step-by-step)

Activities:

• Task cards
• Worksheet/assessment
• Math Center
• Digital activities

POSTERS

These are great to use as anchor charts so students have something to refer to as they learn how to apply the distributive property. You can also use them to illustrate key teaching points during your initial instruction.

Includes a set of posters that illustrate how to decompose an array to solve and another set that shows students step-by-step how to decompose factors to solve using the distributive property.

TASK CARDS

These can be projected for the whole class to see and work through the problems together - or place them in your math centers for independent practice. I also like to use them in guided math groups for students who need extra support.

They are not simple multiple-choice questions. They are open-ended tasks that require some critical math thinking. Students must understand and apply the distributive property to come up with their own answers.

Includes 12 task cards, recording sheets, and answer key.

MATH CENTER

This is a set of 2-piece puzzles for matching. Students must match each equation with its partner equation showing how it can be decomposed using the distributive property.

Includes 12 mini puzzles.

WORKSHEET/ASSESSMENT

This is a single page with 5 open-ended tasks for students to complete:

• Rewriting multiplication equations using the distributive property
• Drawing an array to match the provided equation
• Writing an equation to represent an array and then solving their equation by decomposing one of the factors

DIGITAL ACTIVITIES

This product has been prepared for digital use through Easel. The task cards feature embedded audio that reads the questions aloud. Students can type or write (using cursor or finger) their answers in the workspace provided. You can assign individual cards for students to complete or the entire set.

The worksheet/assessment has also been prepared in Easel.

This resource supports the following math standard:

CCSS3.OA.B.5

Apply properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide.

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