Multiplication: Musical Chairs

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• 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

• 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

• 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.