Multiplication and division - Multiply by 8 - Presentation

In the mathematics lesson focused on multiplication and division, students are presented with the challenge of mastering the multiplication by 8. To kick off the lesson, they are encouraged to consider other multiplication facts that might assist in this task, such as counting in 8s, and to discuss why these are useful. The lesson is structured to build fluency in this area through a series of activities that prompt students to apply their understanding of multiplication in practical scenarios. For instance, one activity asks students to calculate the total number of legs on a group of spiders, reinforcing their multiplication skills by formulating number sentences that represent repeated addition and multiplication.

Further into the lesson, students engage with activities designed to deepen their reasoning skills. They arrange counters in arrays to visualize the concept of equal groups and complete related calculations. Additionally, they are introduced to the concept that multiplying by 8 can be seen as doubling a number three times. This is illustrated through function machine diagrams that help students visualize the process. The lesson also includes opportunities for students to discuss and reflect on different methods of multiplication, such as comparing different strategies to multiply by 8 and deciding which method they prefer based on their existing knowledge of times tables and ability to double numbers. The lesson concludes with independent work where students apply the concepts they've learned to new problems and share their findings.