Lesson 9

Multiplication as Equal Groups

Lesson Purpose

The purpose of this lesson is for students to use scaled picture graphs as an introduction to multiplication as equal groups.

Lesson Narrative

Scaled picture graphs provide an equal grouping context that naturally elicits multiplication. Multiplication expressions aren’t introduced in this lesson so that students spend more time with concrete representations of multiplication before being introduced to the more abstract representation. The next few lessons focus on the meaning and representations of multiplication, not the product. While students may want to go right to finding the product, it is important to focus on the meaning of multiplication as equal groups and the ways in which it can be represented in the discussions.

Throughout this section, make connecting cubes or counters available to students who need them.

  • Representation
  • MLR8

Learning Goals

Teacher Facing

  • Build an understanding of multiplication as equal groups.
  • Represent a situation involving equal groups in a way that makes sense to students.

Student Facing

  • Let’s work with equal groups of things.

Required Materials

Materials to Gather

Required Preparation

Activity 1:

Each student needs 20 connecting cubes or counters.

Activity 2:

Each student needs 20 connecting cubes or counters.

CCSS Standards

Building On

Addressing

Building Towards

Lesson Timeline

Warm-up 10 min
Activity 1 15 min
Activity 2 20 min
Lesson Synthesis 10 min
Cool-down 5 min

Teacher Reflection Questions

How did students’ work with scaled picture graphs and bar graphs set up the introduction of multiplication in today’s lesson?

Suggested Centers

  • Capture Squares (1–3), Stage 4: Subtract within 20 (Supporting)
  • Five in a Row: Addition and Subtraction (1–2), Stage 6: Add within 100 with Composing (Supporting)

Print Formatted Materials

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Student Task Statements pdf docx
Lesson Cover Page pdf docx
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