Math Giraffe
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Doodle Notes
  • Shop
  • Classroom Management & Ideas
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Middle School
  • Inquiry Learning
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Pre Algebra Doodle NoteBook
  • Finance Doodle NoteBook
  • Distance Math Activities
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Doodle Notes
  • Shop
  • Classroom Management & Ideas
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Middle School
  • Inquiry Learning
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Pre Algebra Doodle NoteBook
  • Finance Doodle NoteBook
  • Distance Math Activities
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Picture

9/27/2017 13 Comments

2 Analogies to Help Teach the Distributive Property

A Better Way to Explain the Distributive Property - with Clear, Hands-On Analogies Your Students Can Relate To
Relatable, Hands-On Analogies for Teaching the Distributive Property Concept
Pin it
Have you ever repeatedly taught the distributive property, but the concept just doesn’t seem to stick in your students’ heads? 

​Or maybe, your students seem to grasp the concept, but after some time you realize they’ve completely forgotten the property?

It happened to me, and then I discovered that the trick was to use a relatable analogy (preferably in a hands-on way, if possible!).
 
These 2 helpful analogies will make the distributive property stick once and for all. 

Analogies are awesome when teaching, because they have the ability to make your lesson instantly relevant to your students’ interests, while also allowing your students to gain a deeper understanding of the concept.
​1.  Making Bracelets
  

A great analogy for teaching the distributive property is making bracelets with beads; this is a task that students have either done before or have the ability to easily understand! 
 
Analogy: If you are creating multiple bracelets of a certain type, you must multiply the number of bracelets being made by EACH bead type.  Just like with the distributive property, you multiply the outer term by EACH term in the parentheses.  A common mistake students make is only multiplying the first term and not distributing throughout each term in the parentheses. 
 
This bracelet analogy creates evidence to see that you must distribute throughout each term inside the quantity.  This Distributive Property Investigation Activity is perfect for getting your students to discover and thoroughly understand this bracelet analogy.
 
This set of worksheets is structured as a guided inquiry, so students are discovering the property themselves.  This helps the students to gain a deeper understanding of the distributive property.  The inquiry activity would be great for either introducing the distributive property, or a creative way to review the topic.
 
An inquiry-based approach to teaching math has many benefits for your students, including enhancing independent problem-solving skills and leading to deeper understanding of a concept.  Instead of just memorizing the property, they learn WHY it works and HOW it works.  It is important to let your students build a concept, not just follow a process.
teaching the distributive property
concept analogy for teaching the distibutive property
Pin it
 2.  Recipes
 
Relating the distributive property to recipes is helpful, because by this age, students tend to have a strong understanding of how recipes work, and you can create a fun, interactive lesson.  Here’s how to relate the distributive property:  Ask, “What do you do to double a recipe?”
 
Analogy: To double the whole recipe, you must be sure you remember to double EACH AND EVERY ingredient.  When using the distributive property, you have to remember to multiply by EACH AND EVERY term in the parentheses.  
 
If you forget to double one of the ingredients, the recipe won’t turn out exactly right; just like you will get an inaccurate answer if you miss a term when distributing. You must distribute to each term in the parentheses.
 
This set of doodle notes will perfectly coincide with teaching the distributive property using this analogy.  When students color or doodle in math class they activate both hemispheres of the brain. There are many proven benefits to this cross-lateral activity, including new learning, relaxation (less math anxiety), visual connections, and better memory and retention of the content!
using recipes to teach the concept of the distributive property
distributive property - doodle notes with recipe analogy
Pin it
With these doodle notes, you get sheets for students to fill in, complete the examples, and color, doodle or embellish - all about the distributive property!  Then, they can use it as a study guide later on.  They love to pull these beautiful pages back out to use as a reference throughout the year.
 

Another inquiry-based approach includes assigning students to bring in any recipe to class the day you are introducing the distributive property. Have your students work in pairs or independently to double their recipes; there are benefits to both. Working collaboratively on this is beneficial, because they have the opportunity to bounce ideas off of each other and share their recipes with each other.  Working individually enhances their independent problem-solving skills.
recipe analogy for the distributive property in algebra
doubling a recipe - analogy for learning the distributive property
Pin it
​If you do try this as a hands-on exploration, it really helps to limit your students to a very simple recipe with ony 3 ingredients and one container required. (for less mess, less time, and a clearer math representation.)  Simple things like punch or trail mix work well.

After they double their recipe, they can triple it, multiply it by 4, and so on.  Next, students should determine the pattern they see, and they should write a rule for the property.  Now, when you teach the distributive property, your students have already internalized this property; they have discovered it for themselves!

Another fun way to teach this is to have a pancake day in class!!  Bring just one big batch of supplies to cook pancakes for all your students, and cook them on a griddle in the front of the classroom.  

Show an expression on the board representing how many batches you'll need with each ingredient's quantity listed inside parentheses.  Talk it through and let the kids help you out when you make the "mistake" of only doubling the first ingredient in the quantity.

Sum up your work on the board with a big "Pancake Algebra Expression."
​
ideas for concept-based analogies for teaching the distributive property
I hope you and your students enjoy these two analogies for teaching the distributive property!  Each analogy greatly enhances student understanding, especially when paired with an inquiry-based approach or these doodle notes.  Do you have any other helpful analogies for teaching Pre-Algebra concepts in a clearer way? We’d love to hear!
 
Enter your email to receive future updates, free resources, and teaching ideas:

To Read Next:

Picture
Picture
Picture
13 Comments
Christine Reese
9/30/2017 07:25:09 pm

I really like the recipe idea. I think it will be easy next week to finally get it understood. I cannot wait to try it

Reply
Kelly M Barendt
10/2/2017 11:27:29 am

Love the pancake day idea!! Such a perfect, easy recipe :)

Reply
thái nguyễn link
12/26/2019 11:33:25 am

Very helpful article for me. I want to make food, but it's really hard, can you help me? I'm in trouble with the recipes.

Reply
Faige Grossman
11/12/2020 09:10:22 am

Can't wait to see this activity!

Reply
https://www.cvwritingservicesuk.com/sarahlovell-review/ link
5/28/2021 05:29:05 pm

I completely resolved my question when I read this post, thanks to the author for the very detailed description. I wrote my review on the site, you can go in and read. Thank you very much for your attention in your time.

Reply
Molly Yates link
6/30/2021 11:16:06 am

I LOVE the color notes. I would have loved notes like these as a kid.

Reply
why is celery so expensive right now 2019 link
12/14/2021 01:08:00 am

Analogies are wonderful when educating, in light of the fact that they can make your illustration immediately pertinent to your understudies' advantages, while additionally permitting your understudies to acquire a more profound comprehension of the idea.

Reply
lenawatts link
12/26/2021 11:21:09 am

Top Quality Kitchen Products Iteam & a kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cuisine and food medication in lodging or in a marketable establishment

Reply
Murrieta Real Estate link
1/28/2022 10:26:21 am

The idea is great. It will be very easy to understand next week. It is something I can't wait to do.

Reply
lora link
2/5/2022 10:39:38 am

When I read this post I solved my question completely, thanks to the author for a very detailed explanation. I have written my review on the site, you can go inside and read it. Thank you very much for your attention in your time. The metaphors are amazing when teaching, in light of the fact that they can instantly fit your example to the benefit of your students. Allow deeper understanding.

Reply
microcurrent gloves link
2/26/2022 10:47:55 am

Espresso kitchen cabinets can achieve that look that you want. Dark kitchens have always given that elegant look in high end homes. Espresso kitchen cabinets can match with almost any other color for either the modern or a more traditional look.

Reply
Motel Broker in kansas link
6/1/2022 01:20:53 pm

Ceilings like these are rare. It was handmade and all the details are perfect. It looks great hanging from my ceiling.

Reply
Slope Unblocked link
2/24/2023 03:34:20 am

A great analogy for teaching the distributive property is making bracelets with beads; this is a task that students have either done before or have the ability to easily understand!

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014


    RSS Feed

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
    Click to set custom HTML
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from kellywritershouse, Robert-Herschede, University of the Fraser Valley, mrhayata, Iwan Gabovitch, nateOne, Franklin Park Library, rhymeswithsausage, US Department of Education, Edsel L, Larry1732, philwarren, peteselfchoose, Dean Hochman, BryonLippincott, AFS-USA Intercultural Programs, Nilsze, philosophygeek, VividImageInc, cantanima, dcysurfer / Dave Young