Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Divide by 3, 4 and 8
Multiplication and division
CCSS 3.OA.C.7CCSS 3.OA.B.6England: Y3 Multiplication and division
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Divide by 3, 4 and 8.
- 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 by 2, 5 and 10; The 3 times table; The 4 times table
Leads to: Divide by 6, 7 and 9
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 by 2, 5 and 10; The 3 times table; The 4 times table). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- 6 ÷ 2 = ? → 3Prompt: 2 times what makes 6?
- 3 × 4 = ? → 12Prompt: Count in 3s, 4 times.
- 4 × 2 = ? → 8Prompt: Count in 4s, 2 times.
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 by 3, 4 and 8. 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: 20 ÷ 4 = ?
- Step 1: 4 × 5 = 20
- Step 2: 20 ÷ 4 = 5
- Answer: 5
- 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.
- 3 ÷ 3 = ? → 1Prompt: 3 times what makes 3?
- __ ÷ 8 = 9 → 72Prompt: Multiplication undoes division.
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.
- 27 ÷ 3 = ? → 9Prompt: 3 times what makes 27?
- __ ÷ 8 = 5 → 40Prompt: Multiplication undoes division.
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 by 2, 5 and 10.
- 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: Divide by 6, 7 and 9.
- 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