Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes
Estimate quotients with compatible numbers
Multiplication and division
CCSS 5.NBT.B.6England: Y6 Number and place value
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Estimate quotients with compatible 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: Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number
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 (Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 402 ÷ 3 = ? → 134Prompt: Divide the hundreds first, then the tens, then the ones.
- Zoe cycles 256 km in 4 weeks, the same distance each week. How many kilometres is that per week? → 64Prompt: Share 256 into 4 equal parts.
- 3 × ▢ = 846. What number is ▢? → 282Prompt: Use the inverse operation.
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 quotients with compatible 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: Which is the best estimate for 181 ÷ 3?
- Step 1: 181 ≈ 180
- Step 2: 180 ÷ 3 = 60
- Answer: 60
- 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.
- Which is the best estimate for 301 ÷ 5? (90 / 60 / 600 / 7) → 60Prompt: Find a multiple of 5 close to 301 that is easy to divide.
- Estimate 1175 ÷ 23: round 23 to 20 and 1175 to 1200. What is your estimate? → 60Prompt: Divide 1200 by 20.
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.
- Estimate 3458 ÷ 69: round 69 to 70 and 3458 to 3500. What is your estimate? → 50Prompt: Divide 3500 by 70.
- Which is the best estimate for 244 ÷ 8? (60 / 4 / 30 / 300) → 30Prompt: Find a multiple of 8 close to 244 that is easy to divide.
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: Divide a three-digit number 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
- 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