Multiplication and Division - Multiply and Divide by 3 - Presentation

The lesson on multiplication and division focuses on the concept of multiplying and dividing by 3. Students begin by reinforcing their ability to count in multiples of 3, both forwards and backwards, which lays the foundation for understanding multiplication as repeated addition. For example, to multiply by 3, students are asked to complete sequences such as 12, 15, 18... and 39, 36, 33... This method helps them visualise the multiplication process and prepares them for more complex problems. The lesson includes practical activities, such as counting the total number of cubes when grouped in towers of three, and applying this knowledge to real-world scenarios like calculating the total number of wheels on several tricycles.

Further into the lesson, division by 3 is introduced through grouping exercises where students circle counters in groups of three to find the total number of groups. This visual representation aids in understanding how division is the process of sharing a number into equal parts. The lesson also encourages the use of concrete materials, such as cubes or counters, to represent problems and find solutions. For instance, students might be asked to share 15 pieces of fruit equally among 3 bowls, helping them to comprehend division as an equal distribution. Reasoning activities challenge students to write their own multiplication problems and to use their understanding of the commutative property to solve equations like 7 x 3. The lesson culminates in independent work where students demonstrate their learning through a variety of representations and problem-solving tasks.