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Multiplication as Repeated Addition

Second graders discover that multiplication is just a shortcut for adding equal groups, connecting 4 + 4 + 4 to 3 times 4, then check what they know.

Grade 2Multiplication as Repeated Addition50 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓See equal groups.
  • ✓Add groups by repeating.
  • ✓Write a times sentence.
  • ✓Check what you know.
Essential Question

Four bags, each with 4 apples. You could add 4 + 4 + 4 + 4, or say 4 times 4. How are adding equal groups and multiplying connected?

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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

Multiplication Check

Project this and answer each question about adding equal groups and writing a times sentence — read the explanation after each one.

✖️ Check what you know about multiplication as repeated additionTry it
Answer each question about adding equal groups and writing a times sentence.
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

Hook — A Faster Way to Add

5 min

There are 4 bags, and each has 4 apples. You could add 4 + 4 + 4 + 4, or you could say 4 times 4. How are adding equal groups and multiplying connected?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show 4 equal groups.
  • Ask for a fast way to count.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Multiplication Check

12 min

Students answer questions about repeated addition.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Multiplication Check.
  • Answer each question.
  • Read the why.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer.
  • Check.
  • Read it.
3

Modify — Groups to a Sentence

13 min

Students turn groups into a times sentence.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show equal groups.
  • Write the repeated addition.
  • Write it as a times sentence.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Show.
  • Add.
  • Write.
4

Create — My Groups Poster

15 min

Students draw equal groups.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Draw a few equal groups.
  • Write the repeated addition.
  • Write the matching times sentence.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Draw.
  • Add.
  • Write.
5

Reflect — Equal Groups

5 min

Students reflect on multiplication.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What does 3 times 5 mean as addition?
  • Why must the groups be equal?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • 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.C.4

Use repeated addition to find the total of objects in equal groups.

CCSS
3.OA.A.1

Interpret products of whole numbers, such as 5 x 7 as 5 groups of 7.

CCSS
3.OA.A.3

Use multiplication within 100 to solve word problems with equal groups.

CCSS
MP.1

Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Equal-group picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “___ groups of ___ is ___ .”
  • Answer one question at a time.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with groups of 2.
  • Use counters to build each group.
  • Review one question at a time.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Link equal groups to an array.
  • Write both the addition and times sentence.
  • Explain why order of factors gives the same total.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🔢Counters or tiles
  • 💻Multiplication Check
  • 🃏Equal-group cards
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

multiplicationa fast way to add equal groupsrepeated additionadding the same number over and overequal groupsgroups that each have the same amountfactora number being multipliedproductthe total you get when you multiplytimesthe word for the x sign in multiplicationarrayequal groups arranged in rows and columnsgroupa set with a certain number of items
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
What does 3 times 5 mean as addition?
Three groups of 5, which is 5 + 5 + 5 = 15.
QUESTION 2
Why must the groups be equal to multiply?
Multiplication is repeated addition of the same number, so the groups have to be the same size.
QUESTION 3
Write 2 + 2 + 2 as a times sentence.
3 x 2, because there are 3 groups of 2, which equals 6.

Create: my groups poster.

Have students draw a few equal groups, write the repeated addition, and write the matching times sentence, so the link between adding and multiplying is clear. A printable multiplication worksheet is in the Mathematics 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.

🃏 Multiplication as Repeated AdditionFlip
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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.

📝 Multiplication as Repeated AdditionQuiz
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1 / 6
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.

🖨️ Multiplication as Repeated AdditionPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: array, equal groups, factor, group, multiplication, product, repeated addition, times
  1. a number being multiplied
  2. the total you get when you multiply
  3. equal groups arranged in rows and columns
  4. a set with a certain number of items
  5. groups that each have the same amount
  6. the word for the x sign in multiplication
  7. a fast way to add equal groups
  8. adding the same number over and over

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does 3 times 5 mean as addition?
  2. Why must the groups be equal to multiply?
  3. Write 2 + 2 + 2 as a times sentence.
Answer key — Part A: 1) factor · 2) product · 3) array · 4) group · 5) equal groups · 6) times · 7) multiplication · 8) repeated addition
Part B: 1) Three groups of 5, which is 5 + 5 + 5 = 15. 2) Multiplication is repeated addition of the same number, so the groups have to be the same size. 3) 3 x 2, because there are 3 groups of 2, which equals 6.