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Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes

Two-step word problems using all four operations

Multiplication and division

CCSS 3.OA.D.8England: Y3 Multiplication and divisionEngland: Y4 Multiplication and division

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Two-step word problems using all four operations.

  • 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: Choose the operation for a word problem; Two-step addition and subtraction problems

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 · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choose the operation for a word problem; Two-step addition and subtraction problems). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which operation solves this? Tariq has 42 oranges and puts them equally into 7 bags. How many in each bag? (multiply / divide / add / subtract) → dividePrompt: Are you joining, taking away, making equal groups or sharing?
  2. A bus has 53 passengers. At the first stop 10 get off and 6 get on. How many passengers are on the bus now? → 49Prompt: Do it one step at a time.
  3. Sam reads 7 pages every day for 7 days. Which number sentence gives the total pages? (7 × 7 / 49 ÷ 7 / 7 + 7 / 7 − 7) → 7 × 7Prompt: The same number of pages is read each day.

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: Two-step word problems using all four operations. 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: Zoe buys 3 packs of 5 rice crackers and shares 6 with friends. How many crackers does Zoe have left?
  • Step 1: 3 × 5 = 15
  • Step 2: 15 − 6 = 9
  • Answer: 9
  • 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.
  1. Nia buys 7 packs of 7 rice crackers and shares 34 with friends. How many crackers does Nia have left? → 15Prompt: First find how many crackers there are altogether.
  2. Kwame has 62 stickers. Kwame keeps 14 and shares the rest equally among 8 friends. How many stickers does each friend get? → 6Prompt: How many stickers are shared out?

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.
  1. Elena buys 3 packs of 5 rice crackers and shares 10 with friends. How many crackers does Elena have left? → 5Prompt: First find how many crackers there are altogether.
  2. Arjun buys 3 notebooks at $5 each and pays with $20. How much change does Arjun get? (Answer in whole dollars.) → 5Prompt: Find the total cost 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: Choose the operation for a word problem.
  • 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-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Two-step word problems using all four operations

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Luis has 26 stickers. Luis keeps 6 and shares the rest equally among 4 friends. How many stickers does each friend get?

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Aisha buys 5 notebooks at $7 each and pays with $50. How much change does Aisha get? (Answer in whole dollars.)

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    Isla buys 4 packs of 9 rice crackers and shares 6 with friends. How many crackers does Isla have left?

    Answer

  4. Question 4

    Ana has 29 stickers. Ana keeps 11 and shares the rest equally among 3 friends. How many stickers does each friend get?

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Priya buys 8 notebooks at $6 each and pays with $60. How much change does Priya get? (Answer in whole dollars.)

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Lucia buys 7 packs of 6 rice crackers and shares 11 with friends. How many crackers does Lucia have left?

    Answer

  7. Question 7

    Ava has 24 stickers. Ava keeps 12 and shares the rest equally among 4 friends. How many stickers does each friend get?

    Answer

  8. Question 8

    Kofi buys 8 notebooks at $4 each and pays with $40. How much change does Kofi get? (Answer in whole dollars.)

    Answer

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Answer key: Two-step word problems using all four operations

  1. 1. 5

  2. 2. 15

  3. 3. 30

  4. 4. 6

  5. 5. 12

  6. 6. 31

  7. 7. 3

  8. 8. 8