Thinkabara

🧮 3rd Grade · Math3.OA.A.1Unit 1: Meaning of multiplication

Equal groups

Google Classroom

🎯 Objective: Students describe equal groups and write multiplication equations.

Lesson outline

  1. Show 4 plates with 3 cookies each: “How many cookies? How did you count?”
  2. Introduce × as “groups of”: 4 × 3 means 4 groups of 3; write 4 × 3 = 12 and label groups and size.
  3. Students draw equal-group pictures for 5 × 2, 3 × 6 and 2 × 8 and write the equation under each.
  4. Exit: write “6 groups of 2” as multiplication and solve.

Lesson 1 of 5 in this unit. In the Lesson Planner this lesson takes 1–3 class periods depending on your timetable: day 1 introduce & model, then practice, small-group reteach and a quick check.

📐 Standard

3.OA.A.1

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Grade 3 — typical US scope & sequence

🏁 Unit goals

  • Interpret products as equal groups (5 × 7 = 5 groups of 7)
  • Use arrays, equal groups and number lines to multiply

✅ Check for understanding

End with the exit ticket in the outline. Sort answers into got it / almost / not yet and start the next lesson with a 5-minute reteach for the “not yets”.

Practice & resources on Thinkabara

🎯 Practice: Multiplication & division within 100🖨️ Worksheet: Multiplication Facts 2–10📚 All 3rd Grade skills🎮 Learning games⚡ Capy Live class quiz

🗓️ Plan the whole year like this

Add 3rd Grade Math to your free Lesson Planner: enter your timetable once and every period shows the next lesson, skipping weekends and school breaks.

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More lessons in “Meaning of multiplication”

  1. Equal groups
  2. Arrays
  3. Skip-counting on a number line
  4. Multiplication word problems
  5. Multiplying by 2, 5 and 10

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