Area Models and Multiplication – Virtual Manipulatives and games

August 12, 2020

I have started collecting some virtual manipulatives for different concepts for my grade 3/4s and I have created a few slides with my favorite ones so far. For Area models and multiplication, I like the simulations and games from PhET.

About PhET

PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. The simulations are written in Java, Flash or HTML5, and can be run online or downloaded to your computer. Multiple sponsors support the PhET project, enabling these resources to be free to all students and teachers. A sho

The simulations from PhET allow me to have better discussions with my students and the games have less distractions and are easy to understand.

For Area models and multiplication I chose 4 activities. The activities have a simulation/tool and a few games arranged by level of difficulty. They help students understand multiplication as a concept, build arrays, and solve problems.

Here is a slide I created with a few of the area model and multiplication activities links. Feel free to use it as it is or change it.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EcB8qffm8OUdhwqBwSfFyagZ7PRNvLImNpxEpJtOQiA/copy

Check out the fractions virtual manipulatives for grades3,4 , primary virtual manipulatives and intermediate virtual manipulatives.

For more fun multiplication facts practice check out our collection of printable and digital activity cards here Activities that promote fluency not memorization.