Multiplication Story Problems

Date: December 8, 1998

Grade Level(s): 3, 4

Subject(s):

• Mathematics/Arithmetic

Duration: 30 - 40 minutes

Description: This is a lesson to help students understand the uses of multiplication and practice problem solving while having fun. You will need bags of M&M's, jelly beans, or some other small candy.

Goals: Students will be able to use multiplication to solve everyday math problems.

Objectives: Students will be able to successfully complete their own math problems using manipulatives.

Materials: M&M's, jelly beans, and small candy

Procedure:

1. Students are divided into groups.
2. Give each group a bag of candy.
3. Explain that each group must share their candy with the other groups.
4. Give each group a different problem to solve. For instance, if you have 5 groups with 4 students in each group tell your first group they must give every group 12 pieces of candy. What is the multiplication problem that would tell them how many pieces of candy they need? (12 X 5 = 60). Have them write the problem on the board and explain to the class how they solved their problem.
5. Each group would be given a different problem.
6. When each group receives their candy from another group they should write down the problem needed to show how many pieces of candy each student in the group will receive. (4 Students X ? = 60). At the end of the lesson let the students eat their candy.
   For reinforcement let small groups play APlusMath at http://www.aplusmath.com/ where they can practice playing games using their math skills. You can adjust this lesson to any type of math, addition, subtraction, or division.

Assessment: A practice sheet of short story problems (teacher-created).