Everyday Arrays

Take your class on an adventure of real world arrays! First, hunt for arrays in the classroom. For example, open a box of crayons and take a peek inside, an array! Check out the kids' desks and chairs. Are they arranged in an array? Don't forget lockers or cubbies. They're lined up in an array! Pull out a calculator, array! Walk through the hallways. Is there student work hanging in an array? Check out the parking lot. Are the parking spaces lined in an array? 

Over the weekend, have kids hunt for three arrays. They can draw their arrays or take a picture of them. Underneath their image, have them write down the multiplication equation, as well as their array in repeated addition. Remind them, they CAN'T make their array out of Cheerios!!! It has to be an array they just happen to come across. They could find their arrays around their house or at an outing (grocery, park, etc.). Examples: a lego, t.v. remote control, ice cube tray, eyeshadow compact, hershey bar, egg carton, muffin tin, etc.