Multiplication and Division - The 3 times table - Planning

In a Year 4 mathematics lesson on multiplication and division, the focus is on mastering the 3 times table. The lesson begins with a warm-up where students answer "fluent in four" questions to engage their prior knowledge. The class then works together, counting in 3s both forwards and backwards, using a number line to aid understanding of the sequence. The practical aspect of the lesson involves using small coloured sticks to build triangles, helping children visualise and understand multiplication as groups of numbers. They are encouraged to articulate their understanding using stem sentences like "There is 1 group of 3 sticks, which is equal to three." This hands-on approach is designed to develop fluency in recalling the 3 times table facts, with the students gradually building up their knowledge through interactive activities.

The lesson also addresses common misconceptions about the relationship between multiplication and division, particularly the non-commutative nature of division. Through partner work and reasoning activities, students sort cards into a loop to foster mathematical discussion, using concrete resources and stem sentences to justify their reasoning. For example, they might explain why "15 ÷ 3" represents a certain image. The session concludes with a reflection where students consider what they've learned, the skills used, and what they found challenging. Differentiated activities are provided to cater to varying levels of ability, from those working towards understanding to those ready for greater depth, where children fill in missing information based on given facts, such as completing a multiplication sentence or deducing the total number of sides in an array of sticks.