EDUC 420A: ELEMENTARY FIELD EXPERIENCE III

LESSON PLAN #4
Following the lesson, write a one page reflection concerning the challenges and successes
of the lesson including 2-3 ideas on how you would do something differently.
Subject/topic: Math - Multiplication Arrays Grade/class: 3rd, Mrs. Ciccarelli
Time/period: 8:20, math period Lesson date:12/5/2016
SOL: 3.6 The student will represent multiplication, using area, set, and number line
models, and create and solve problems that involve multiplication of two whole numbers,
one factor 99 or less and the second factor 5 or less. Focus: Multiplication Arrays
Content outline: The essential knowledge that the students will gain is a further
understanding of multiplication through the use of multiplication array tables. The
student will use problem solving, mathematical communication, mathematical reasoning,
connections, and representations to solve multiplication equations.
Rationale: First, these skills are important because multiplication is one of the most
crucial elements of mathematics, being a part of every grade level that the students will
go through. Without this basic skill, the further development of math knowledge would
be a large challenged. Furthermore, teaching multiplication through the use of
multiplication array tables is crucial because it gives the students the ability to visually
see what multiplication means. Rather than simply seeing and memorizing numbers,
students can see the shapes of growing number patterns that are created through
multiplication. It also helps students to understand that multiplication is simply another
way of saying repeated addition.
Objective(s) of the lesson: The students will be able to understand the meaning behind
multiplication through the use of array tables. They will exhibit their skills through their
own individual drawings of arrays in a correct manner.
Lesson Opening: Ask students about the previous knowledge of multiplication arrays
(has been introduced by teacher before). Ask anyone if they can think of one to draw on
the board. Next I will begin my multiplication arrays powerpoint. This will guide the
students along in the understanding and also give them a chance to create their own.
Connection: The students have really just begun their work on multiplication, especially
with their use of arrays. This visual representation of multiplication should help them
understand that multiplication is simply repeated addition. Giving them the chance to see
this will help them understand the root of multiplication and further apply it in the rest of
the math that they will come across.
Instructional Strategies/Processes:
(10-15 Minutes) Introduce multiplication arrays and use powerpoint. Give
enough time in this to make sure that the kids fully understand how easy making a
multiplication array can be regardless of the big numbers.

(10 Minutes) Introduce and instruct how the activity will be done. A bag will be
passed around with multiplication variations with each number being 10 or under
(5x6, 10x1, etc). They will each pick one card to start. Once they picked they will
use their index card to draw the multiplication array for that equation in whatever
fashion they choose (stars, colored, shapes) so long as they get the right answer.
Once they have drawn the array they will write down the answer to the problem.
Once they have completed this they will then show their peers to ensure that it is
correct. If there is any confusion at all, the teacher will be walking around guiding
the students. Once their card is completed and all decorated how they want it, they
get to go post it up on the big array board. Because there are 100 that need to be
done, when the students finish they will get to come and draw another. Each
student will get to do roughly 4 cards.
(30 Minutes) Time spent doing activity explained above
(10 Minutes) Giving time for all the students to see their beautiful work! Ask
students various questions (Why are multiplication arrays helpful? Do these help
your understanding of multiplication? Why?)

Products: The product from this lesson will be from the whole group. The large
multiplication array board will show the work of the entire class.
Assessment: The assessment will be done largely through watching the students work on
their personal index cards. The teacher will have ample time to roam the class and check
for understanding. Finally, when the students place their cards on the board it will allow
the teacher to see their work as a class and check for understanding through individual
cards. It is important to check for correctness before the card goes on the board so that the
teacher can help out with any confusion.
Closure: Give time for students to look back and appreciate their work. Then the teacher
will lead some discussion questions such as:
What did we learn about today?
How can we use arrays to help us?
Does thinking about multiplication through arrays or as repeated addition help
you understand it better? It makes it much easier right?!
Homework: No homework will be given.
Differentiation: This lesson begins with a group presentation, giving some ample time to
introduce the topic. The students who may need more time to understand will have
various examples to help them visually see the use of multiplication arrays. The students
that are confident will be able to demonstrate certain equations to others. Then when we
move on to the making of individual cards, students will get the chance to practice their
independent skills. If there is confusion, they are instructed to ask their peers for help.
This incorporates the sense of group work that will make certain students feel more
scaffolded. Finally, getting to place their individual cards on the board will make all the
students feel a sense of accomplishment for doing their work and getting to share it with
the class.

Materials/Equipment:
Multiplication array board
Slideshow
Equation note cards in a bag
Pieces of paper for students to draw their arrays and post on the board
pencils/ colored pencils/ markers/ pens

POST LESSON REFLECTION:

Finally, it happened: I wasnt shaking going into my final lesson! It was such a
fun experience walking into this lesson with so much less fear than the previous ones. I
was really excited to do my lesson and I think this was what played into ability to wrap
my head around teaching before I even got in the classroom. I saw the idea for the lesson
on pinterest and decided to go with it after reading about the previous teachers reviews. I
was able to utilize the resource lab here at school to create a large poster for free, which
was a wonderful resource.
Overall, I thought the lesson went well, but as always there is room for
improvement. One aspect that I would want to improve upon is organizing the system of
having the kids coming up to the board. My assumption before the lesson was that
students would get a 10x10 card and some get the ones like 1x2, and therefore it would
inherently take longer to do some than others. My thought was that because of the variety
of questions, the spacing of coming up to the board when they finished would have been
right. However, from the experience, I know that that system is not exactly enough to
keep them from finishing at the same time. It never got out of hand by any means, but
there were times when a 5-8 kids were standing in front of the board waiting to tape up
their answer. Second, one other change I would make would be to further explain the
need to draw arrays perfectly. For example 5x7 is shown differently than 7x5. I

mentioned this idea and we talked about it, but looking back it would have been much
more effective to have spent a few more minutes at the beginning of the class, rather than
try explaining more throughout. This caused a little problem, because 5x7 and 7x5 also
have different spots on the board. Therefore, when a mistake was made, there were two
cards placed on the same spot. It really wasnt too much of an issue, and I had the kids
help me correct it, but overall this is an area I would love to change next time I do this
lesson.
The biggest highlight of the lesson was how much the kids enjoyed it! They were
all so excited to come up and show me their cards, and even more excited when they had
the chance to place their card on the board in front of the class. I think the kids really felt
a sense of accomplishment when they did this. To pass out the multiplication problems I
brought a stocking with the individual cards in it. It was really adorable seeing them get
excited about pulling them out of the stocking and seeing what ones they got. Next, I
really think they got a good understanding of multiplication arrays out of this lesson.
Their drawing were awesome and accurate for the most part. Even when we had the tiny
problem of needing to shuffle some cards around, the kids were so eager to help and do
more. My absolute favorite part of the lesson was a kid coming up to me and asking if he
could make his own problem and put it on the board. He decided to do 0x0. Not only was
this something that is important for them to know, but he was so excited to show his
knowledge of this! I of course let him, and his face shined with excitement when he got
to put his 0x0 card up on the board. These are the moments I live for!