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Arrays & Repeated Addition: Rows and Columns

Second graders arrange objects into arrays — equal rows and columns — and discover repeated addition, the powerful shortcut that gets them ready for multiplication.

Grade 2Arrays50 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Build an array (rows and columns).
  • ✓Use repeated addition.
  • ✓Find the total in an array.
  • ✓Connect arrays to multiplication.
Essential Question

An egg carton has 2 rows of 6 eggs. Instead of counting all 12 one by one, is there a faster way to know how many?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Model · Interactive Tool

Build an Array

Project this and change the rows and columns. Watch the dots make an array — then add the rows to find the total!

▦ Build an array — rows and columns!Try it
Rows: 3
Columns: 4

The Lesson · Gradual Release (I Do · We Do · You Do)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Launch — The Egg Carton

5 min

2 rows of 6 eggs — how many, without counting each one?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show an array (egg carton).
  • Ask for a faster count.
  • Set the goal: arrays.

🎒 Student Actions

  • See the array.
  • Wonder how.
  • Predict the shortcut.
2

I Do — Rows and Columns

10 min

Teacher models.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Build equal rows.
  • Add the rows (repeated addition).
  • Find the total.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Watch the rows.
  • Add them.
  • Find the total.
3

We Do — Build Together

13 min

Class uses Build an Array.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Set rows and columns.
  • Say the repeated addition.
  • Read the total.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Set the array.
  • Say the addition.
  • Read the total.
4

You Do — On Your Own

12 min

Students make arrays.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Draw arrays.
  • Write the repeated addition.
  • Find the total.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Draw arrays.
  • Write the addition.
  • Find totals.
5

Close — Close

5 min

One array.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Give an array to add.
  • Find the total.
  • Hand out the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Add the rows.
  • Find the total.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

CCSS
2.OA.4

Use addition to find the total number of objects in rectangular arrays.

CCSS
2.G.2

Partition a rectangle into rows and columns of same-size squares.

CCSS
2.OA.3

Write an equation to express an even number as a sum of two equal addends.

SMP
MP.8

Look for repeated reasoning (repeated addition).

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Build arrays with counters.
  • Sentence frame: “___ rows of ___ is ___.”
  • Point to rows and columns.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with small arrays.
  • Use physical counters.
  • Add one row at a time.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Write a multiplication sentence.
  • Find arrays in the room.
  • Split an array two ways.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🔵Counters
  • 💻Build an Array
  • 📐Grid paper
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

arrayobjects in equal rows and columnsrowobjects going acrosscolumnobjects going up and downrepeated additionadding the same number again and againtotalthe whole amountequalthe samesumthe answer to additionmultiplicationfast repeated addition
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
How many are in an array with 3 rows of 5?
15 (5 + 5 + 5).
QUESTION 2
Write the repeated addition for 4 rows of 2.
2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8.
QUESTION 3
What are the two parts of an array called?
Rows (across) and columns (up and down).

Going deeper? Arrays to multiplication.

Have students write a multiplication sentence for each array they build (like 3 rows of 4 = 3 × 4 = 12). A printable array sheet is in the Math library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Arrays & Repeated AdditionFlip
Card 1
Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Arrays & Repeated AdditionQuiz
Score: 0
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Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Arrays & Repeated AdditionPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: array, column, equal, multiplication, repeated addition, row, sum, total
  1. objects going across
  2. objects going up and down
  3. the answer to addition
  4. the same
  5. objects in equal rows and columns
  6. the whole amount
  7. adding the same number again and again
  8. fast repeated addition

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. How many are in an array with 3 rows of 5?
  2. Write the repeated addition for 4 rows of 2.
  3. What are the two parts of an array called?
Answer key — Part A: 1) row · 2) column · 3) sum · 4) equal · 5) array · 6) total · 7) repeated addition · 8) multiplication
Part B: 1) 15 (5 + 5 + 5). 2) 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8. 3) Rows (across) and columns (up and down).