Multiplication Stations
Joy Banzon Dardenelle: INT 925 Project #2

State: California
Grade Level: Fourth
Subject: Math Content Standard:
Number Sense 3.0 - Students solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and understand the relationship among the operations.

Objective:

• Students will experience several ways to learn and practice multiplication facts.
  
• Students will identify their preferred method of learning and practicing multiplication.
  

Materials:

Station 1 – Computers with Internet access

• http://www.trackstar.4teachers.org
  Track #244139
  
• Journal

Station 2 – Counting blocks

• Multiplication flashcards
  
• Journal

Station 3 – Song Lyrics

• Multiplication Rock music or video
  
• Journal
  

Station 4 – Deck of cards

• Multiplication Table for Checking Answers
  
• Journal

Procedure:

Discuss. What multiplication facts are easiest to learn? What tricks do you know? How do you practice multiplication? Explain there are many ways to learn and practice multiplication and that they will explore four ways and see which one they like best.

There are four math stations that look at different aspects of multiplication. The students would rotate through the stations in approximately 15-20 minute intervals. Give basic directions for moving between stations. Detailed directions should be available at each station.

Station 1:

Students will open Track #244139 at the Trackstar link. They will have 15-20 minutes to move through the track that includes a review of multiplication concepts, online math games, and a final online quiz. Students will record the results of their online quiz in their journal and answer the questions: Which link did you like the best? Why?

Station 2:

Students will use counting blocks to create arrays that reinforce the relationship between addition and multiplication. They will be prompted by flash cards. In their journal, they will draw at least one of the arrays that they created with the corresponding multiplication problem. They will also answer: Which did you like better, drawing the arrays or using the blocks to make the arrays?

Station 3:

Students will listen to music or watch the video of Multiplication Rock. They can follow along with the song lyrics. They will need to choose one song to listen to a second time. In their journal, they will write the name of the song they chose and the multiplication facts associated with the song.

Station 4:

Students will play in groups of three: two competitors and one referee. The competitors will have a stack of playing cards (ace through tens). Simultaneously, they will flip the top card over and multiply the two numbers. The referee will determine the winner who calls the correct answer first. A multiplication table is there for referees who are unsure of their multiplication facts. After twenty wins, students can rotate. In their journal, students will record how many wins they received. They will also answer if they preferred being a competitor or a referee.

Assessment:

Discuss what stations the students liked best and why. Have students write individual responses in their journal.

Follow-up:

Students will be assigned ten minutes of additional multiplication practice homework based on the method they prefer.