Array Finder

I met a book written in 1970s.  Its author is a famous Japanese mathematician/educator, Toyama, Hiraku.  In his book, I have learned how to manipulate 10x10 tiles so that young students would develop the concrete concepts of multiplication.  In addition, memorization will no longer be such a pain with 10x10 tiles.  I made a large classroom presentation 10x10 poster and laminated it.  I also made mini version for individual students, all laminated.  You can manipulate another color, like "L" shape, to show array quite easily, for example, a photo above indicates 7x8.  It is exciting for the creative teachers and students because possible multiplication activities with this tool are endless!  In fact, when you make lines on 5s vertically and horizontally, you can see one fourth areas.  The array finder will tell you one quarter of 100 is 25, just like a dollar.  So the product of 7x8 must be larger than 25, etc....  Bridges Math Curriculum, our district uses as the math curriculum supplement, shows a beautiful partnership with Array Finder.  The Bridges 3rd grade Unit 4 was an apparent collaboration to enhance multiplication instructions and activities along with Toyama's 100x100 tiles.  East meets West beyond four decades.  What else can you say?