• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT MTM ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP FOR GRADES 6-ALGEBRA 1

  • Blog
  • SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS
    • Resource Information
    • Purchasing Questions
  • MTM SHOP
    • All Access Math Curriculum
    • Maneuvering Math™
    • School Purchasing
    • Units and Activities
  • SUPPORT
    • Contact Us
    • Help Center
    • Terms of Use
  • LOG IN

Maneuvering the Middle

Student-Centered Math Lessons

  • Lesson
    Planning
  • Math
    Concepts
  • Middle
    School
  • Classroom
    Technology
  • Teacher
    Organization
Posted by Tyne Brack

The Distributive Property

11 Oct

68 shares
  • Share

The distributive property is an important building block for algebraic concepts such as multiplying polynomials, recognizing equivalent expressions, and factoring polynomials. Since it starts as early as 6th grade, let’s talk about how to make this as concrete as possible for students. If you haven’t already, go back and read last week’s post on simplifying expressions by combining like terms.

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com

Sidenote: I have to admit that when I first taught the distributive property, I focused solely on the procedure. I had students draw two arrows from the term outside of the parentheses to the two terms inside and called it a day. This is how I was taught. I tell you this to remind you that there are more ways to teach a skill than the way you may have learned it. 

Let’s get to it!

Introducing the Distributive Property

By the time you are teaching the distributive property, students are familiar with order of operations. If you give them a problem like 3(8+2), they will jump at the chance to solve. Students will add 8+2 to get 3(10) and then multiply to get 30. 

You can have students discover that the distributive property allows for another way to solve.  3(8+2) = 3(8) + 3(2) = 24+6 = 30. Proving to students that a property works instead of just telling them a property works will always earn a thumbs up from me.

Introduce Variables

Students may be wondering, “Why can’t I just keep following the order of operations? Why do I need to use the distributive property?” This is a fair question, and a perfect opportunity to introduce the distributive property using variables.

Let’s look at: 3(2x+4).

Ask students if 2x+4 can be combined or added together. No, they do not have the same variable.

Combining like terms only applies to addition and subtraction. You can multiply and divide terms that do not have the same variable or exponent, so you can use the distributive property to simplify this expression further. 

3(2x+4) is like having 3 groups of (2x+4). I encourage you to use Algebra tiles as every possible opportunity, so here is a beautiful visual.

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com

Use the CRA Method

Just like I explained in the previous post, Simplifying Expressions by Combining Like Terms, the Concrete, Representational, and Abstract Framework will help your students develop a solid understanding of the distributive property. 

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com

Area Models with the Distributive Property

As you can see in the “representation” column above, teaching and requiring students to use an area model for distribution, especially when you are teaching the distributive property in Algebra 1 can be extremely helpful. An area model will set them up for success when they are multiplying polynomials and factoring trinomials. 

Distributing with a Negative

The most common error you will see regarding the distributive property will be related to signs. Those sneaky little negatives can get lost pretty easily. I have some ideas that I have not used in my classroom (in full transparency), but came to mind when writing this blog post. 

Since multiplying by a negative, always results in the opposite, you can teach students that if there is a negative outside the parentheses, then it will always change the inside signs to the opposite. (Reviewing integer rules will reinforce this, but sometimes economy of language wins). 

I actually think that this is best introduced using a visual. Here is how I would show it and ask students to show their work using this method too.

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com

Other Tips

There are so many ways to introduce this topic! Here is another idea from our Student Handouts below.

 Saying “I want one drink, 2 slices of pizza, and one ice cream cone” 4 separate times isn’t efficient.  “I want 4 drinks, 8 slices of pizza, and 4 ice cream cones” makes a lot more sense.

Angie, our amazing editor (and so much more), found this test problem on a New York 7th grade state assessment. This problem could definitely benefit from sketching a square and labeling each side. This would be an excellent problem to talk about why the wrong answers are wrong.

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com

That about covers it! How do you teach the distributive property?

The distributive property is a great property for hands-on learning. Check out our tips on making the distributive property concrete. | maneuveringthemiddle.com
68 shares
  • Share

Lesson Planning, Math Concepts

Check Out These Related Products From My Shop

View All Products
Previous Post Tips for Teaching Simplifying Expressions
Next Post Linear Equations Activity Ideas

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Thank you for joining us!

Maneuvering the Middle is an education blog with valuable tips for lesson planning, classroom technology, and math concepts in the middle school classroom.

  • Facebook

Our Shop

View All Products

Reader Freebie

Statistics Freebie

box plots and two-way tables error analysis activities

KEEP READING

Time Saving Tips for Your Teacher Planning Period

How to Teach Routines & Procedures that Stick

When you meet another teacher there is no shortage of conversation topics. This I have found to be true with all teachers around the globe. I will be showcasing different teacher in various places around the world on a semi-regular basis.

Teachers Around the Globe

Tips for Teaching from a Cart

Teaching Multiplying and Dividing Integers

  • CONTACT
    • FAQ
    • HELP CENTER
  • SHOP
  • TERMS OF USE
    • DISCLOSURES
  • SOCIAL
    • FACEBOOK
    • PINTEREST
    • INSTAGRAM
    • YOUTUBE
  • SCHOOLS
    • REQUEST A QUOTE
    • SUBMIT A PO

© Copyright 2013 - 2025  •  Maneuvering the Middle  •  All Rights Reserved  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs