Lesson Plan Outline

Unit Topic:

Math

Grade Level:

Grade 4

Lesson Theme:

Understanding multiplication word problems

Lesson Objectives:

The students will be able to solve multiplication word problems by using dynamic models and labels.

Instructional Technique:

Lecture and computer activities

Instructional Materials:

Individual computer activity: www.mathplayground.com/tb_multiplication/thinking_blocks_multiplication_division.html
Guided online-worksheets

Once on the website, click on “start modeling” in the bottom right corner.

Theoretical Perspective: The ability to solve and understand multiplication word problems allows students to apply the use of multiplication to everyday situations. The use of multiplication models also helps them conceptualize the idea that multiplication is simply repeated addition.

Procedure:

            (Before using this lesson students should be practiced in their multiplication tables up to 12).

A. 1: Review multiplication tables up to 12. Write various multiplication problems on the board one at a time, and have the students in groups of two or three use their dry erase boards to answer the problem. This should take around 10 minuets.

A.  2: Begin by writing a multiplication word problem on the board. For example: There are four students who each have 3 pieces of candy, how many pieces of candy are there in total? Model this problem out on the board. There should be 4 blocks (or stick-figures) to represent each child. Then, each part should be labeled as 3 because each child has 3 pieces of candy. This is the part. The teacher should also label the whole figure as ‘total candies’ because in the total, parts multiplied by the number of students represent the total number of candies. Relate the model to a multiplication equation, and vise-versa. Different colors may be helpful.

B. Hand out example guided worksheet problems and then have each student sign out a computer. Have the students go through the problems on the computer and follow the handout instructions. 

C. Ask the class what they thought about the online activity, and if it helped them with their learning. Handout the homework and have them look it over and see if they have any questions. Then do another example homework problem on the board using model/labels/pictures. Have them take it down on the back of their homework for reference. Can use this example: Each child has 2 candies. If there are 9 children, how many candies are there in total? Draw out 9 children/blocks on the board, then draw/label that each child has 2 candies. Have the students calculate the total, 18.

D. Adaptions: Students struggling with reading only have to do two of the five problems in the guided handout. The teacher will walk around the classroom during activity and ask who needs help or has questions.

E. Homework: Students will be given a worksheet with more multiplication word problems. These will be assessed by effort.

Evaluation:

We will determine if students have met our objectives when we collect and evaluate the worksheet from the online activity and the homework.

Our objective is to have students effectively solve multiplication word problems. This will be documented by using checks; check plus, check, check minus. If a student receives a check or a check minus on the homework, they will have a chance to fix it.