Area arrays
From Thinkmath
Think Math! Grade 1, Chapter 12; Length, Area, and Capacity
Under construction: Many thanks to cmcbride for improving this page!
Contents |
Purpose
To draw arrays with the largest possible area.
GOAL: The object of this game, Area Array, is to make rectangles with the largest area. Given a number, children must determine the number of rows and columns that will create and array with the largest area.
How to Play
1. Each player needs a copy of Area Arrays Recording Sheet (Activity Master 77), and a number cube (die).
2. For each turn, a player tosses the number cube and uses that number to draw an array of squares on the activity master grid. The sum of the number of rows and the number of columns in each array must equal the number tossed. For example, if a player tosses a 5, that player may draw a 1-by-4 or 2-by-3 array. If a player tosses a 1, that player must toss again. Children should try to find the array that has the largest area.
3. On each turn, the player records the number tossed, the number of rows and columns in the array, and the area of the array in the table at the bottom of the Recording Sheet.
- Speed does not matter. The children should take their time and consider the best array to draw for each toss.
4. After 5 turns, players find the sum of the areas of their own arrays.
5. The player with the largest area sum, wins.
