Direct Instruction
Learning Intention: We are learning to show multiplication problems by making arrays, so we can use skip counting or what we already know to help us solve them.
Phase 1 NZ Maths Curriculum: Number
multiply a one- or two-digit number by a one-digit number, using skip counting or known facts (e.g. 4 × 6; 2 × 23)
Phase 2 NZ Maths Curriculum: Number
recall multiplication and corresponding division facts for 4s and 6s
Reflection:
The Array City lesson was highly engaging, with students showing strong focus and enthusiasm. The open-ended nature of the task allowed learners to work at their own level — from creating three simple arrays to developing full, detailed cityscapes. A highlight was seeing a typically disengaged student take pride in his creation, even continuing the work at home.
The lesson highlighted the diverse digital abilities within the class. Some Year 4 students were confident and independently explored advanced tools, while some Year 3s needed support with basic tasks like resizing and aligning shapes. Teaching how to line up arrays and use duplicate functions is a next step.
Mathematically, the task catered well to a range of learners, supporting both grouping and skip counting strategies, making it a great fit for the Year 3–4 split curriculum.
We’ve been learning about arrays in maths!
An array is a neat way of showing objects in rows and columns. It helps us see and count equal groups easily. For example, 3 rows of 4 is the same as 3 × 4 = 12!
Arrays help us understand multiplication better because they show us how numbers are grouped. They also help us solve problems faster and get better at our times tables!
