For the first step, cut out a 7×6 array using your blank times table. Then, choose an equation that you want to model for your students. (You can grab one at the end of this post.) It is important that this table does NOT include zeros, as this will throw off the entire problem. To begin to introduce the distributive property in a concrete way, start with a times-table showing numbers 1-10 (or 1-12), and a blank table. How to Model the Distributive Property in 3rd Grade: For fourth and fifth graders, this may be multiplying two-digit numbers or later three digits.
For third graders, this may be equations that have larger factors, like 6, 7, 8, 9, or 12. Once students understand this, they can begin to use the distributive property to help them solve multiplication facts that look intimidating. To help students make the connection, it is important to show them how the distributive property works, in a concrete way. As I mentioned earlier, this lesson builds upon the material I covered in the partial products worksheets and associative/commutative lessons.Are you teaching distributive property in 3rd grade? For some students, the concept of the distributive property is completely abstract and something they really have difficulty understanding. That's it for now, be sure to check out the related math lessons below. In this activity, students need to solve each problem using the property and as always.show their work! It's time to get serious in the third printout. Again, the focus is not on solving the problems as much as it is understanding how the two equations are the same. The second activity sheet is the same basic idea, except your child just needs to fill in the missing numbers. In the example at the top of the worksheet, I've shown how to write the new problem (and solved it), but all we're focusing on in this lesson is using the property. If you're feeling really mean, you could make them solve it too. All your child needs to do is re-write the problem using the distributive method. In the first paper your child is shown an equation. Taken to Google Docs where you'll find a printable PDF file.Įach worksheet has instructions on it, but I thought it may helpful to cover them here as well. Simply click on the picture and you will be (4 x 3) - (4 x 1) Distributive Property Worksheetsīelow are a few worksheets that you can download and print out for It worked! The distributive property also works for subtraction: 4 x (3 - 1) is the same as This gives us (4 x 2) + (4 x 1) which turns into 8 + 4 which equals 12. Now let's use the distributive property to solve. 4 x (2 +1) turns into 4 x 3 after solving the operation inside the parentheses, which leads us to 4 x 3 = 12. Here's another example using numbers: 4 x (2 + 1) is the same asĭon't believe me? Let's try it out. (A x B) + (A x C) Confusing? Yeah, I know.
It states simply that: A x (B + C) is the same as (Don't know what any of that stuff is? Don't worry, I've included links to my partial products and addition property lessons at the bottom of this page.) This property may be easier to show than to explain. It builds upon the ideas learned with the associative and commutative properties as well as the partial products concepts. When it comes time to learn about the addition properties, the distributive property is probably the most confusing.