Math lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 30 minutes
Multi-step word problems with whole numbers
Multiplication and division
CCSS 4.OA.A.3England: Y5 Multiplication and division
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Multi-step word problems with whole 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 a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Add and subtract multi-digit numbers
Leads to: Multi-step problems with larger numbers
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 a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Add and subtract multi-digit numbers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 117 × 9 = ? → 1053Prompt: Multiply the hundreds, tens and ones separately.
- 465 ÷ 3 = ? → 155Prompt: Divide the hundreds first, then the tens, then the ones.
- 113 087 + 490 473 = ? → 603560Prompt: Line up the place values and add from the right.
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: Multi-step word problems with whole 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: A theatre has 20 rows of 23 seats. 407 tickets have been sold. How many seats are still free?
- Step 1: 20 × 23 = 460
- Step 2: 460 − 407 = 53
- Answer: 53
- 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.
- A theatre has 17 rows of 15 seats. 235 tickets have been sold. How many seats are still free? → 20Prompt: How many seats are there altogether?
- At a swimming pool, adult tickets cost $5 and child tickets $3. Aisha's group buys 5 adult and 2 child tickets. How much do they pay in total? → 31Prompt: Work out the adult cost and the child cost separately.
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.
- A theatre has 28 rows of 17 seats. 195 tickets have been sold. How many seats are still free? → 281Prompt: How many seats are there altogether?
- 4 friends each collect 50 plastic bottles a day for recycling, for 4 days. How many bottles do they collect altogether? → 800Prompt: How many does one friend collect in all the days?
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 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
- Move on to: Multi-step problems with larger numbers.
- 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