Skip counting helps students solve multiplication problems by counting by the same number over and over.
For example, to solve 5 × 4, a student can skip count by 4s: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20.
This helps students recognize number patterns and build fluency with multiplication facts. At home, encourage your child to practice skip counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s.
Multiplication with Skip Counting
Multiplying Using Skip Counting
The above link takes you to a playlist of songs that skip count 2-12. In 3rd grade, we are only responsible for multiplying digits 0-10.
An array is a way to organize objects into equal rows and columns. Arrays help students see multiplication as equal groups and connect multiplication to repeated addition.
For example, an array with 3 rows of 4 objects shows 3 × 4 = 12.
At home, you can help your child look for arrays in everyday life—like rows of chairs, an egg carton, or tiles on the floor—and practice writing the multiplication equation that matches.
Multiplication with Arrays
Represent multiplication using an array
Multiplication Using Arrays | MightyOwl Math | 3rd Grade
Extra Array Practice
Multiplying with Arrays Worksheet + Answer Key - A
Multiplying with Arrays Worksheet + Answer Key - B
Repeated addition helps students connect what they already know about addition to multiplication. Students add the same number several times to represent equal groups.
For example, 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 can also be written as 3 × 4 = 12.
At home, encourage your child to identify the number of equal groups, how many are in each group, and then write both the repeated addition equation and the multiplication equation.
Multiplication as repeated addition
Math - Grade 3 - Multiplication as repeated addition
A number line helps students see multiplication as making equal jumps.
For example, to solve 4 × 3, a student can make 4 jumps of 3 on the number line: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12.
This helps students connect multiplication to skip counting and repeated addition. At home, encourage your child to identify how many jumps they need to make and the size of each jump.
Multiply by 3 on a Number Line
Multiply on a number line
Multiplication on the number line
Equal groups help students understand that multiplication represents groups with the same number of objects in each group.
For example, 3 groups of 4 means 4 + 4 + 4 = 12, or 3 × 4 = 12.
At home, encourage your child to draw equal groups, count how many are in each group, and write the multiplication equation that matches.
Relating Addition and Multiplaction with Equal Groups
Multiplying Equal Groups