A Math Story!

This lesson plan is designed to use a basic third grade math fact as a prompt to write and illustrate a math story. A hands on math activity using math manipulatives will serve as the focus and review for this lesson. A writing activity will serve as a conclusion as well as an assessment for understanding.

A lesson plan for grade 3 English Language Arts and Mathematics

By Sherrill Haltigan

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Related topics

• Learn more about English language arts and mathematics.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• discuss repeated addition as being the same as multiplication.
• model repeated addition as well as multiplication using math manipulatives such as (two colored counters, buttons, teddy bear counters etc.)
• write a multiplication fact.
• illustrate a multiplication fact and write a math story.
• use computers with software Kid Pix or Hyperstudio to produce the final lesson product.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 Hours

Materials/resources

• One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes, (April 1993) Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv); ISBN: 0395631165
• chalkboard or chart
• math manipulatives such as two colored counters, buttons, teddy bear counters, etc.
• paper (drawing and notebook)
• pencil
• markers, crayons or colored pencils

Technology resources

Computers with software Kid Pix or Hyperstudio.

Pre-activities

• Discussion of repeated addition being the same as multiplication.
• Prior knowledge or discussion of how to write a multiplication fact.
• Prior lessons in Kid Pix or Hyperstudio

Activities

1. The teacher will read aloud One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes.
2. The teacher will direct the students to “think” about the groups of ants that marched for example 2 groups of 50. Or 4 groups of 25. The teacher will show or demonstrate on the chalkboard that 50+50=100 and that 25+25+25+25=100. The teacher will explain that this is called repeated addition. The teacher will also write 2X50=100 and 4X25=100 on the board. The teacher will explain that repeated addition and multiplication are the same.
3. The teacher will pass out math manipulatives of his/her choice for example two colored counters. Each student should have at least 10.
4. The teacher will direct the students to model or show repeated addition. For example two groups of five.
5. The teacher will write the multiplication equation 5X2=10 on the board. The students will model or show the equation with their manipulatives.
6. The teacher will pass out a sheet of drawing paper and notebook paper to each child. The teacher will direct the students to write the equation 5X2=10 on their drawing paper.
7. The student will illustrate the math equation 5X2=10. (For example, draw 2 baskets of five apples.)
8. The teacher will circulate and check to see that each student has successfully illustrated the math equation 5X2=10.
9. The teacher will then direct each student to write a brief story to tell about their math equation and drawing.
10. After all math stories are complete each student will be directed to create their story and illustration on Kid Pix or Hyperstudio. This should be the final lesson product. This should also serve as an assessment for understanding.

Assessment

• Oral questions throughout the lesson.
  1. If I have 2 groups of five counters how many counters do I have?
  2. If I have 5 groups of two counters how many counters will I have?
  3. Are five groups of two and two groups of five equal?
  4. If I write 2X5=10 is that the same as two groups of five equals ten? Or if I write 5×2=10 is that the same five groups of two equals ten?
• Observations of students as they work.
• Questioning students as they work and at the completion of their work.
• The final lesson product.

Rubric for final lesson product

• 4 = Expresses 5X2 in at least two ways.For example 2+2+2+2+2=10 or 5+5=10. Also, a 2X5 array or a 5X2 array.
• 3 = Expresses 5X2 one way.
• 2 = Does computation only; no pictures, words or explanation.
• 1 = Attempts assignment but incorrect response.
• 0 = Assignment not attempted

Supplemental information

Other picture books about this topic include:

• The 512 Ants on Sullivan Street, Carol A Losi,(August 1997) Scholastic Trade; ISBN: 0590308769
• Too Many Kangaroo Things To Do, Stuart J. Murphy, (August 1996), HarperCollins Children’s Books; ISBN: 0060258845

Related websites

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Comments

Allowing students to explore math in a hands on way using math manipulatives gives them the opportunity to experience math. The exploration of math is a wonderful way to give students something to write about. Writing about math is a excellent way for the teacher to assess understanding.