Multiplication Cups Competition

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Review the array model strategy by showing 3 x 2 as an array of 3 rows of dots in two columns.
• Show your students the repeated addition strategy, where 4 x 3 is also 4 + 4 + 4.
• Demonstrate how to use the number line model strategy. Show your students that they can practice 4 x 3 by jumping on the number line 4 steps at a time for three jumps.
• Use examples and draw them on the board.

Guided Practice

• Give each student a different multiplication problem on an index card.
• Instruct your students to solve the problem on a blank sheet of paper using a strategy discussed previously.
• Have your students raise their papers up when they are finished.
• As a group, work out three of the students' problems.

Independent working time

• Divide your students into pairs.
• Hand each pair of students a set of cups with multiplication problems written on them.
• Challenge your students to answer as many questions as possible.
• Direct your students to stack the cups if they get the answer right. Remind them to be honest when they are self-checking.
• Ask your students to test each other using the strategies reviewed earlier.