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:
Activity 2:
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)