Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes
Estimate to check multi-digit calculations
Multiplication and division
CCSS 5.NBT.B.5England: Y6 Number and place value
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Estimate to check multi-digit calculations.
- 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: Estimate products by rounding
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
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 (Estimate products by rounding). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Estimate 393 × 5 by rounding 393 to the nearest hundred. → 2000Prompt: 393 rounds to what?
- Which is the best estimate for 39 × 51? (90 / 2000 / 200 / 20 000) → 2000Prompt: Round each number to the nearest ten.
- Maya's calculator shows 870 × 6 = 5220. Use an estimate: is that answer reasonable? (Yes, it is close to the estimate / No, it is far from the estimate) → Yes, it is close to the estimatePrompt: Round 870 to the nearest hundred.
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: Estimate to check multi-digit calculations. 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: Estimate 964 × 28 by rounding 964 to the nearest hundred and 28 to the nearest ten.
- Step 1: 964 ≈ 1000, 28 ≈ 30
- Step 2: 1000 × 30 = 30 000
- Answer: 30000
- 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.
- Estimate 489 × 42 by rounding 489 to the nearest hundred and 42 to the nearest ten. → 20000Prompt: Round each number first.
- Without dividing exactly, which is the best estimate for 17 828 ÷ 4? (4000 / 40 000 / 400 / 9000) → 4000Prompt: Round 17 828 to something easy to divide by 4.
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.
- Without dividing exactly, which is the best estimate for 48 978 ÷ 6? (800 / 13 000 / 8000 / 80 000) → 8000Prompt: Round 48 978 to something easy to divide by 6.
- Estimate 971 × 27 by rounding 971 to the nearest hundred and 27 to the nearest ten. → 30000Prompt: Round each number first.
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: Estimate products by rounding.
- 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
- 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-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder