Item description
This is a set of activities for teaching the associative property of multiplication. It includes both independent work and centers.
POSTER
Includes the definition of the associative property and an example.
MATH PUZZLES
This is a set of 20 individual three-piece puzzles. . Each one shows a multiplication expression written two ways (with the order of the factors switched) and the product. Students must match all three pieces up in order to complete a puzzle.
MATCHING ACTIVITY
This activity includes 18 cards that can be sorted into groups of three that go together. Each matching set of cards has a multiplication problem with the same three factors but written or grouped in a different order. When put together correctly, each set of three cards will spell out a word. Student record the words they make on their recording sheet along with the product for each set of cards.
WORKSHEETS
These let students practice this concept in a variety of ways.
Worksheet 1 is a cut-and-paste activity that involves matching equal expressions when the order of factors is different.
Worksheet 2, also cut-and-paste, requires students to determine if pairs of expressions are equal or not equal based on the factors being used.
Worksheet 3 requires students to write an expression in two different ways by placing the parentheses in a different spot. They will solve both equations to show that the product is the same regardless of how the factors are grouped.