Lesson 4: Writing Stories with Multiplication

Lesson Overview: Students will write stories with math problems for given multiplication facts.
They will recognize situations in which multiplication can be used to join equal groups, count
objects in an array, or compare two quantities.
Resources/Materials Needed:

Instructor
o Whiteboard or chalkboard
o Two-color counters
o 2 or 3 pictures showing arrays
o 2 or 3 pictures showing grouped objects
o Paper for ELMO projector or Smart board writing access
o Smart Exchange Lesson: Multiplication Stories
o Eggspert Game system

Student
o Paper & pencil
o Small white boards & dry erase markers

Lesson Standards:

3.E.2a.2: Use diagrams and charts to develop ideas and make a list. (English Langauge
Arts, 2009)

Lesson and Performance Objectives:

Given pictures, students will be able to write stories for multiplication facts using at least
three of the five pictures presented in class, with 100% accuracy.

Time: Approximately 2 hours

Step 1: Pre-instructional activities:

Teacher will set the purpose by stating: You have learned how to use multiplication to
solve problems. Today you will learn how to write stories for multiplication facts.

Teacher will point out to students that story problems are created in daily life. For
example; If you and a friend made cookies for a bake sale, you might say the following to
find the total number of cookies you baked: Kira and I baked 12 cookies per sheet. We
baked 3 sheets. So we baked 36 cookies in all.

On the board, write 4 x 5. Ask, how can you write a multiplication story about 4 x 5?
Work in pairs to write and solve a story problem that involves these factors.

After students have had time to create their own stories, have each partnership present
their story at the board.

Show the Smart Exchange Lesson: Multiplication Stories and discuss.

Step 2: Content Presentation:

After students have presented their stories at the board, have the class work as a whole to
write an equal groups story. Ask the following questions:
o What kind of story will we write? [multiplication story]
o What do we know about the objects in our story? [they will be in equal groups]
o How many groups will there be? [4 groups]
o How many objects will be in each group? [5 objects in each]

Sample response [4 students went to the library. Each of the students

checked out 5 books. How many books did they check out all together?]

Link to their prior knowledge by asking: What are some different ways to think about
multiplication? [equal groups, arrays, comparing]. Then ask: How can the way we think

about multiplication help us when we write a multiplication problem? [It can help us
choose a way to approach the problem]
Step 3: Learner Participation:

Have students write two more stories for 4 x 5 using the form of multiplication they
didnt use with the class (groups, arrays, or comparing). Then discuss as a class why the
answers are always the same even though the problems may be different.

Display the pictures showing arrays and grouped objects.

o Tell the students to choose three pictures to write a multiplication story for. They
must use one for groups, one for arrays, and one for comparing.
o Walk around checking for understanding as they work.

Step 4: Assessment:

The assignment done during the learner participation will be collected and used for an
assessment to measure the students mastery of writing multiplication stories.

After the class has completed the examples and turned their work in, the teacher will
distribute an assessment with one question, in which they will need to score 3 out of 4 on
a rubric.
o Written explanation question: Janice wrote this multiplication story for 3 x 6.

I have 3 brothers. I am 6 years older than Joey. How old am I?

What is wrong with Janices problem? Explain your thinking. Rewrite the
story so that it works with 3 x 6.

Step 5: Follow-through Activities:

Students will write in their math journals what they learned about writing multiplication
stories.

Students will be grouped and go through rotations.

o Group 1: Write in math journals what was learned with writing math stories
o Group 2: Play Adapted Mind online
o Group 3: Flash card practice with partners
o Group 4: Eggspert game with teacher using multiplication facts