The purpose of this activity is for students to understand that the same division expression can be used to represent both types of division situations. Students are given two situations and asked to match a division expression to one of the situations, but the expression matches both situations given. It is okay if students do not recognize that the expression matches both situations in the activity, because it will be discussed in the Activity Synthesis.
Students learn that the number we are dividing by is called the divisor and understand that the divisor can represent the size of the groups or the number of groups. When students explain that a divisor can be interpreted differently based on the situation it represents, they reason abstractly and quantitatively (MP2).
MLR2 Collect and Display. Circulate and collect the language students use as they consider the two situations. Listen for and clarify any questions about the context. On a visible display, record words and phrases, such as “poner en grupos”, “separar”, “dividir” y “número de grupos” // “put in groups,” “split,” “divide,” and “number of groups.” During the Activity Synthesis, add “divisor” to the display and highlight connections to any related language.
Advances: Conversing, Reading