Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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.
- 699 ÷ 3 = ? → 233Prompt: Divide the hundreds first, then the tens, then the ones.
- Estimate 977 × 9 by rounding 977 to the nearest hundred. → 9000Prompt: 977 rounds to what?
- Ava cycles 330 km in 6 weeks, the same distance each week. How many kilometres is that per week? → 55Prompt: Share 330 into 6 equal parts.
Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 588 ÷ 21 = ? → 28Prompt: Write the first few multiples of 21: 21, 42, 63, …
- 900 fish are packed with 25 in each of the tanks. How many tanks are filled? → 36Prompt: How many groups of 25 fit into 900?
You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 444 crayons are packed with 12 in each of the tubs. How many tubs are filled? → 37Prompt: How many groups of 12 fit into 444?
- 867 ÷ 17 = ? → 51Prompt: Write the first few multiples of 17: 17, 34, 51, …
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