Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Divide three-digit numbers by two-digit numbers
Multiplication and division
CCSS 5.NBT.B.6England: Y6 Multiplication and division
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Divide three-digit numbers 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: Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Estimate products by rounding
Leads to: Long division: four-digit by two-digit
Materials: Counters for arrays, Multiplication grid, Base-ten blocks, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Divide a three-digit number by a one-digit number; Estimate products by rounding). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 456 ÷ 4 = ? → 114Prompt: Divide the hundreds first, then the tens, then the ones.
- Estimate 564 × 8 by rounding 564 to the nearest hundred. → 4800Prompt: 564 rounds to what?
- Sofia cycles 325 km in 5 weeks, the same distance each week. How many kilometres is that per week? → 65Prompt: Share 325 into 5 equal parts.
Hook · 5 min
- Show an array of chairs, eggs or windows and ask how many there are without counting one by one.
- Share the objective: Divide three-digit numbers by two-digit numbers. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: 504 ÷ 28 = ?
- Step 1: 28 × 18 = 504
- Step 2: 504 ÷ 28 = 18
- Answer: 18
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 792 ÷ 12 = ? → 66Prompt: Write the first few multiples of 12: 12, 24, 36, …
- 315 books are packed with 15 in each of the shelves. How many shelves are filled? → 21Prompt: How many groups of 15 fit into 315?
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 495 chairs are packed with 15 in each of the rows. How many rows are filled? → 33Prompt: How many groups of 15 fit into 495?
- 720 ÷ 15 = ? → 48Prompt: Write the first few multiples of 15: 15, 30, 45, …
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
- Move on to: Long division: four-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-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder