Distributive Property

Description

The lesson explains the distributive property to your students. Rules for the distributive property are listed, and examples are provided using both positive and negative numbers. The lesson may be used in conjunction with lessons related to other mathematical properties.

Classroom Instruction:

1. Begin by explaining to students that to distribute means to hand out. Just like their papers in class are distributed by the teacher, distribution can also occur in math problems.
2. While reading the content pages, reinforce vocabulary and give students additional examples of the distributive property in order to help them practice. Use the additional resources to enhance understanding.
3. Introduce the notes on the distributive property. Have students practice problems with and without negatives.  Use the additional resources to enhance understanding.
4. Have students practice problems distributing across addition and subtraction.
5. Follow Activity page with students. Have students work individually or in pairs to match their dominoes.
6. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ responses as a class.
7. Distribute the Homework page. Have students work a few problems at the beginning of the next class to reinforce the new property.
8. In closing, ask students to think of other examples in their lives when something was distributed.
9. Allow for responses and discussion.

Common Core State Standards: 

None for Grade 4

None for Grade 5

CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.A.3

Class Sessions (45 minutes): 1 class session

Additional Resources:

• http://www.mathplayground.com/
• http://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/distributive-law.html
• https://www.quia.com/ba/15357.html
• https://www.brainpop.com/math/numbersandoperations/distributiveproperty/

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