Overview
Area sliders are designed as a tool to support learning about multiplication/division with area models. These can be used either as play-doh cutters or for students to trace the area of parts of a larger area model.
If using as play-doh cutters, we suggest obtaining rolling pins and play-doh knives (such as one that can be printed here). Also, one regular sized cannister of play-doh does well for representing up to 100 (10×10) with these cutters.
These come in two versions. One comes where the arm is embedded (top image) and the other has the cutting arm removable so that students can cut a rectangle using the two axis for the dimensions (see video below).
MakerSpace Files
3D printer version of the files are downloadable for:
The print consumes 25.19 grams and takes 1 hour 7 minutes with a 0.6mm nozzle. The manipulative costs $0.45 to print (assuming $18 / Kg for filament).
Note: If you have not read the tutorial post on MakerSpace Manipulatives, please do so.
Examples of Use
Multiplying 7×15
Using physical manipulatives for the area model for multi-digit multiplication is an extremely useful experience for children. A downside is that many manipulatives require students to count out the individual 1s and individual 10s for the model (thus making it cumbersome and can distract away from the content). Here, we demonstrate using array rods with the area sliders & play-doh to model 7×15 by visually/concretely and symbollicaly.
Multiplying 7×15
More to come…
