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Balance beam discoveries

This lesson encourages students to explore another model of multiplication, the balance beam, and another relationship, the inverse of multiplication. This exploration leads naturally into representing multiplication facts in equation form. In addition... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Beverage sharing and serving

Students determine, using a nonstandard cup or plastic drinking container, the minimum amount of fruit drink needed to serve class members. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students will:... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Classifying numbers

Students use Venn diagrams to represent the relationships between the factors or products of two numbers. Illuminations provides helpful activity sheets and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students will: Review multiplication... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Connections and extensions

In this lesson, students make connections and expand on what they learned in previous lessons. Then, they explain the effects of different moves on the game board. Illuminations provides links to the three prior lessons, an activity sheet, and detailed... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Exploring equal sets

This lesson, the third of an eight-part unit from Illuminations titled “Multiplying Meanings,” encourages students to explore the set model as a method for multiplication. Reading the children's book What Comes in 2's, 3's, and 4's... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

The factor game

In this activity, students play a game in which winning strategies involve distinguishing between numbers with many factors and numbers with few factors. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and an applet to complete this lesson. After the teacher demonstrates... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 and 6–7 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Finding products

Students continue to examine the role of commutativity and the multiplicative identity, play a multiplication game, and explore products where one of the factors is 6. Using resources provided by Illuminations, students practice their multiplication tables... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

The first race

Using the E-Example simulation, students will model multiplication facts on the number line and compare various representations. Illuminations provides all activity sheets necessary for completing the lesson. Using an online simulation program, students... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Hopping on the number line

In this lesson, students generate products using the number line model, which highlights the measurement aspect of multiplication and is a distinctly different representation of the operation. After demonstrating how to use a number line, the teacher challenges... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Keeping it all together

By playing card games and using the The Product Game applet, students practice the multiplication facts. As students continue to master their facts, the teacher closely monitors their progress. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Looking for calculator patterns

Students use a web-based calculator to create and compare counting patterns using the constant function feature of the calculator. Making connections between multiple representations of counting patterns reinforces students understanding of this important... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Looking for patterns

Students skip count and examine multiplication patterns, while exploring commutativity in this lesson. Illuminations provides charts, a handout, and songs for skip counting multiplication tables. By asking students a series of guiding questions, the teacher... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Making your own product game

Students work in pairs to create their own game boards and learn by experimenting and making mistakes about what factors and products to include in a game. After reviewing strategies for playing the game, students create their own game boards and practice... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 and 6–7 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Modeling multiplication with rows and columns

This lesson, the fourth of an eight-part unit from Illuminations titled “Multiplying Meanings,” encourages students to explore the array model of multiplication. Students make arrays with counters and then create a second concrete example of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Modeling multiplication with streets and avenues

This lesson encourages students to explore the array model of multiplication, a model that lays an important foundation for the later study of area. The lesson focuses on the factors 4 and 6. Students will also explore products with 0 or 1 as a factors. First... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

More patterns with products

After using an interactive Web site to find patterns in the multiplication tables, the students practice multiplication facts and record their current level of mastery of the multiplication facts on their personal multiplication chart. Illuminations provides... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Multiplication stories

In this lesson, students create multiplication stories where one factor is 6 or 7, play a multiplication game, and then record their current level of mastery of the multiplication facts. Illuminations provides handouts and specific instructions for completing... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Number line journeys

In this lesson, students generate products using a number line model. Students are encouraged to predict the products and to answer puzzles involving multiplication. Illuminations provides helpful handouts, a fact mastery record, and detailed instructions... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Playing the product game

Students learn how to play the Product Game, which helps them develop understanding of factors, multiples, and the relationships between them. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and game board overhead transparency for completing the lesson. The Product... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Running races

Students generate and compare paths which model given problem situations on graphing grids. Illuminations provides a class notes recording sheets, activity sheets, a fact mastery record, and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations