Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Sharing Candy

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

3

Overview

Students will work with manipulatives to explore the concept of division and represent concrete models with division equations.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

    Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 3

    MA19.3.2

    Illustrate and interpret the quotient of two whole numbers as the number of objects in each group or the number of groups when the whole is partitioned into equal shares.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:MA19.3.2

    Vocabulary

    • Partitive division
    • Measurement division
    • Missing factor
    • Factor
    • Quotient
    • Partition
    • Product
    • Divisor
    • Dividend
    • Equal share

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • that division is related to multiplication in terms of finding a missing factor. The missing factor being either the number of groups or the number of items in each group.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Interpret quantities in a division situation as the number of objects in each groupor the number of equal groups.
    • Use a model or drawing to illustrate a quotient.
    • Write word problems for division context involving equal groups and fair shares.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • a division expression represents either the number of objects in each group when the total number is partitioned evenly into a given number of groups or the number of groups when the total number is partitioned into groups that each contain a given number.

    Phase

    During/Explore/Explain
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    I can interpret the quotient as the number of objects in each group.

    Activity Details

    Before you begin, give each student or partner group 24 centimeter cubes/Unifix cubes.

    1. Show slide one of the slideshow (title slide). The teacher will ask, "What does it mean to share? How do you share things with your siblings or your friends?" Let students respond orally.
    2. Show slide two. Read the task aloud. The teacher will say, "Use your cubes to model how you would share 24 M&M's with a friend. Write a division equation to match this model."
    3. Allow students to look at other students' models and for students to explain their thinking.
    4. Show slide three. The teacher will say, "Now you have several ways you can share your candy. Work with your partner (or independently) to build models and draw a picture to represent the different ways you can share the candy. Write a division equation to match each way you can share the candy."
    5. Allow students to show each way they shared the candy.
    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    Check student work at the conclusion of the activity to assess their understanding. You can use the following guidelines to ensure students meet the learning objective.

    Check that the student:

    1. solved each division situation correctly.
    2. wrote the correct division equation for each division situation.

    Variation Tips

    This task can be used as a stand-alone activity or in conjunction with One Hundred Hungry Ants (before activity) and Tell Me a Story (after activity).

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    The teacher will need a computer and a projector to show the slideshow to the whole group. Students will need 24 centimeter cubes/Unifix cubes to represent the candy. Students will need a pencil and math journal/paper to record their thinking.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    ALSDE LOGO