Lesson plan
Multiplication: Musical Chairs
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to quickly multiply two- and three-digit numbers using multiplication strategies.
The adjustment to the whole group lesson is a modification to differentiate for children who are English learners.
Introduction
(5 minutes)
- Pose an example multiplication problem on the board, such as 7 x 29.
- Ask students to name strategies for multiplying with their group.
- After 1–2 minutes, have students share out and make a list of responses on the board.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(15 minutes)- Review each of the following strategies for multiplying by modeling how to solve these equations: partial products, mental math, lattice, and traditional algorithm:
- Partial products: 5 x 64 = 5 x 60 + 5 x 4 = 320.
- Mental math: For 10 x 22 you could think aloud: "I know that when I multiply any number by 10, I just have to add the 0 to the end so the answer is 220."
- Lattice: set up the lattice squares for 3 x 76.
- Traditional algorithm: 4 x 57.
Guided Practice
(20 minutes)- Distribute the Multiplication Strategies Flip Books.
- Instruct students to fold these in half and cut on the dotted line to create the flip book.
- Review each strategy with additional sample problems.
- Invite students to the board to solve the problems.
- Students at their seats should follow along and record steps in their flip books.
Independent working time
(20 minutes)- Review directions for multiplication musical chairs:
- Students will use scratch paper and clipboards or whiteboards and markers to rotate around the chairs.
- Give each student a starting number.
- Students will walk around while music plays and stop at the nearest chair when the music stops.
- Once they stop, they will look at the number on the index card on the chair and multiply their starting number by that number.
- The teacher will walk around to observe students' strategies and mathematical accuracy during this portion.
- The teacher can choose to identify "winners," or students with the largest and smallest products if desired.
- After the round, students use their products as their new starting number for the next round.
- Repeat for five to ten more rounds or as time allows.
Differentiation
Support:
- Give a lower starting number for multiplication musical chairs. Give these students the Football Multiplication worksheet for their assessment.
Enrichment:
- Give a higher starting number for multiplication musical chairs. Give these students the 3 Digit Multiplication worksheet for their assessment.
Assessment
(15 minutes)- Distribute various multiplication worksheets to your students.
- Have students work independently to complete the worksheet as their assessment using their preferred multiplication strategy.
- Instruct students to label each problem with the name of the strategy they used.
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Have students write in math journals or on scratch paper their response to the following question: Which multiplication strategy works best for you? Why?
Related Guided Lesson
Based on your interest in Multiplication: Musical Chairs.
Multiplication and Division
Related learning resources
Multiplication: Musical Chairs
Lesson plan
Multiplication: Musical Chairs
In this fun, fast-paced multiplication review lesson, students will play a musical game as they practice their facts while applying different techniques to their problem-solving skills.
4th grade
Math
Lesson plan
Multi-Digit Multiplication Strategies
Lesson plan
Multi-Digit Multiplication Strategies
Use this lesson on its own or teach it prior to the lesson Multiplication: Musical Chairs.
4th grade
Math
Lesson plan
Lattice Multiplication
Worksheet
Lattice Multiplication
Lattice multiplication worksheets are great for visual learners working on two-digit multiplication. Try this lattice multiplication worksheet with your child.
4th grade
Math
Worksheet
Multiplication Regrouping
Worksheet
Multiplication Regrouping
This worksheet is jam-packed with 2 pages of multiplication regrouping problems to help kids tackle two-digit multiplication.
4th grade
Math
Worksheet
