Multiplication and division - Divide by 3 - Planning

In this Year 3 maths lesson, the focus is on dividing by 3, an essential step in the Autumn Multiplication and Division series. The lesson is structured to enhance students' understanding through a variety of activities, starting with a small step starter that sets the stage for the day's learning. The class teaching input encourages students to develop fluency in representing a number story, which involves using repeated addition, bar models, and multiplication expressions. To support their understanding, they are prompted to use concrete materials and structured sentences, known as stem sentences.

The lesson is designed to be interactive and thought-provoking, with key questions posed to the students to stimulate their thinking and understanding of the division concept. These questions include inquiries about the number of equal groups, the quantity within each group, and the total amount when combined. Students are also encouraged to express these concepts through number sentences, pictorial representations, and the use of concrete apparatus to solve problems. The lesson aims to address common misconceptions such as the difference between equal and unequal groups, accurately counting in threes, and understanding the link between repeated addition and multiplication. This structured approach caters to different learning levels, from working towards the expected level to achieving a greater depth of understanding in division concepts.