Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes
Multiply two-digit by two-digit numbers
Multiplication and division
CCSS 4.NBT.B.5England: Y5 Multiplication and division
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Multiply two-digit by two-digit numbers.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Multiply by a one-digit number
Leads to: Multi-digit multiplication; Long multiplication: three-digit by two-digit
Materials: Counters for arrays, Multiplication grid, Base-ten blocks, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Multiply by a one-digit number). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 30 × 7 = ? → 210Prompt: Split 30 into tens and ones: 30 + 0.
- 461 × 5 = ? → 2305Prompt: Use short multiplication: multiply the ones, then tens, then hundreds.
- Noah's bakery makes 3676 rolls a day. How many rolls does it make in 3 days? → 11028Prompt: The same amount each day: multiply.
Hook · 3 min
- Show an array of chairs, eggs or windows and ask how many there are without counting one by one.
- Share the objective: Multiply two-digit by two-digit numbers. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Use long multiplication: 35 × 96
- Step 1: 35 × 6 = 210
- Step 2: 35 × 90 = 3150
- Step 3: 210 + 3150 = 3360
- Answer: 3360
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Use long multiplication: 45 × 33 → 1485Prompt: Multiply 45 by the ones digit of 33.
- Use long multiplication: 99 × 63 → 6237Prompt: Multiply 99 by the ones digit of 63.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Use long multiplication: 26 × 48 → 1248Prompt: Multiply 26 by the ones digit of 48.
- Use long multiplication: 21 × 47 → 987Prompt: Multiply 21 by the ones digit of 47.
Watch out for
- Thinking multiplying always makes a number bigger.
- Dropping a zero in long multiplication when moving to the tens row.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Multiply by a one-digit number.
- Use concrete materials: counters for arrays.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Multi-digit multiplication; Long multiplication: three-digit by two-digit.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder