Math lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 45 minutes
Write a multiplication sentence for an array
Multiplication and division
CCSS 3.OA.A.1CCSS 3.OA.A.3England: Y3 Multiplication and division
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Write a multiplication sentence for an array.
- 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: Arrays and multiplication
Leads to: Turnaround facts: order does not change a product; Break apart a multiplication (distributive property)
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 (Arrays and multiplication). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
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: Write a multiplication sentence for an array. 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: Elena arranges 20 chairs in 4 equal rows. How many chairs are in each row?
- Step 1: 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.
- Omar arranges 24 chairs in 6 equal rows. How many chairs are in each row? → 4Prompt: 6 × ? = 24
- Sofia arranges 12 chairs in 3 equal rows. How many chairs are in each row? → 4Prompt: 3 × ? = 12
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.
- Fatima arranges 24 chairs in 3 equal rows. How many chairs are in each row? → 8Prompt: 3 × ? = 24
- Chloe arranges 16 chairs in 8 equal rows. How many chairs are in each row? → 2Prompt: 8 × ? = 16
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: Arrays and multiplication.
- 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: Turnaround facts: order does not change a product; Break apart a multiplication (distributive property).
- 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