Introduction: Math Language (5 minutes)

Write the terms factor, product, sum, order, and difference on the board. Tell the students to
write their own definitions for each of the terms and create a picture that shows what each
word means in math. If students are struggling to identify these terms, provide them
definitions and have the students create the visual.

Word

Math definition

Factor

A number that you use to multiply

Product

The answer of a multiplication problem (2

factors multiplied together)

Sum

The answer to an addition problem

Order

Put in sequence (i. e. 1, 2, 3)

Difference

The answer to a subtraction problem

Math Rules Mini-Lesson (10 minutes)

Explain to the students that mathematicians have rules for how numbers work. Math rules
are things that are always true in math. Ask students to think about some rules that we
already have for how numbers work (numbers always show amounts, addition increases the
amount, subtraction decreases the amount, and fractions are equal parts of a whole). Record
these rules on an anchor chart for students to refer to throughout the year.

Rule

What it means

Commutative Property of The order of the

Multiplication
numbers doesnt
change the product
(answer)

Example
4x5=5x4

Associative Property of
Multiplication

How factors (numbers) (2 x 7) x 3 = 2 x (3 x

are grouped doesnt 7)
matter in
multiplication

Distributive Property

Multiplying the sum or 3(5 + 2) = (35) +

difference of a number (32)
is the same as
multiplying the sum or
difference by the
3(5-2) = (35)
number and adding
(32)
(or subtracting) the

In My Own Words

product.