Grade Level: 3

Purpose: Multiplication can be a tedious task for many students and teachers alike. As this lesson will be the students’ first academic introduction to multiplication, it is important to create a positive and fun atmosphere during this critical time. It is also necessary to have the students experience success during their first endeavors to memorize the facts.

Objectives: After completing a variety of activities involving multiplication, the children will:

1. Have developed a solid foundation on which to build other multiplication concepts.
2. Have had sufficient exposure to the 1’s and 2’s facts to be able to perform the 1’s times tables effortlessly and at least five of their 2’s facts.
3. Have fun.

-Times Tunes song tape
-Times Tunes lyrics sheets (one copy per student)

-Multiplication Rock video

-Copies of 1’s and 2’s flashcards to be passed out
-Multiplication pattern worksheets (2’s) & overhead transparency
-Pens, crayons, pencils
-Scissors
-11x17 paper for storybook
-Sample storybook to show students
-Math crossword puzzle (if time permits)

Anticipatory Set: We’ll start the lesson with the catchy multiplication song, sparking sufficient interest.

Activities and Procedures:

1. As we play the 1’s and 2’s multiplication songs, we’ll encourage active participation and singing.
2. We’ll praise the students for their participation and point out how much fun you can have learning the multiplication tables.
3. Tell the students, "You thought that was fun? Watch this!" and play the Multiplication Rock video.
4. During the video, teachers will pass out 1’s and 2’s flashcards to students.
5. After the video, scissors will be passed out and students will cut up their flashcards.
6. We will model how to put the answers to the facts on the back of the flashcards and then instruct the children to do so on their own cards. Students will be reminded that they are free to talk with a partner if they need help. (During this time the multiplication songs will be replayed.)
7. The teachers will rove about the room checking the flashcards to make sure that the children have the correct answers.
8. Once their flashcards are checked by the teacher, the children will be given time to practice the facts alone or with a partner until the entire class has completed the task.
9. We will then pass out the pattern worksheets and model the first section on the overhead. Then the students will complete the remainder individually while the teachers monitor their progress.
10. Once the class has finished, initiate a discussion about any patterns that the students are noticing or particular difficulties individuals may be having with certain facts. Encourage students to express their thoughts openly and give advice or hints to others as to how they deal with troublesome facts. The idea is that this time is student-centered with the teacher simply facilitating the discussion.
11. Show the sample multiplication storybook to the class. Discuss the requirements (must relate to the 2’s facts) and invite creativity.
12. Pass out one piece of 11x17 paper to each student. Model how to fold and cut the paper to create a small book. Emphasize that each child will only receive one sheet of paper and so will have to listen carefully to the directions.
13. Have the students create their books, illustrating as they go. Teachers will monitor, provide help, and assess as the children work.
14. If the students finish early, they will be given a math crossword puzzle to complete.

Basis and Explanation of Math Concepts: This lesson most closely follows Standards 7 (Concepts of Whole Number Operations), 8 (Whole Number Computation), and 13 (Patterns and Relationships) of the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics K-4. It is most academically and developmentally aligned with the third grade curriculum and is mostly concrete and pictorial in nature.

Assessment: Throughout the entire lesson, learning will be monitored and assessed by the teachers’ observations. In addition, the flashcards will be specifically checked for success and the books will be collected and assessed for accuracy and understanding. Teachers will also periodically call out facts and ask the class for an answer as a way to not only reinforce them, but also for monitoring purposes.

Diversity: This lesson has many components and, therefore, opportunities for success. It also accommodates for individual learning styles and abilities because of the many ways the content is presented.