Lesson Plan
Divide & Conquer!
Students will be able to solve division word problems by identifying the total, groups, or items per group, and writing appropriate equations.
Understanding division word problems helps students use math skills in real life, building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Engaging slides, clear examples, and a focused worksheet.
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Divide & Conquer! Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Division Word Problem Slides, Division Story Problems Worksheet, and Division Story Problems Answer Key.
- Make copies of the Division Story Problems Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/display is ready for the Division Word Problem Slides.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What is Division?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to divide? When do we split things equally in our lives?"
- Discuss their responses, emphasizing fair sharing and grouping. Use Division Word Problem Slides (Slide 1-2).
Step 2
Introduction to Word Problems
7 minutes
- Introduce division word problems as "math stories" where we use division to solve real-life situations.
- Explain that we need to look for important numbers in the story to know when to divide. Use Division Word Problem Slides (Slide 3-4).
Step 3
Guided Practice: Solving Together
8 minutes
- Display a simple division word problem on Division Word Problem Slides (Slide 5).
- Guide students through finding the total, how many groups, or how many in each group, then solving.
- Emphasize drawing simple pictures or using counters if helpful.
- Work through 1-2 examples together as a class, encouraging participation.
Step 4
Independent Practice: Worksheet Time
8 minutes
- Distribute the Division Story Problems Worksheet.
- Explain that students will work on the problems by themselves.
- Remind them to show their work and write their answers clearly.
- Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Share
2 minutes
- Ask students to share one problem they liked or found tricky from the Division Story Problems Worksheet.
- Briefly review one or two solutions as a class, using the Division Story Problems Answer Key as a reference.
- Congratulate students on their hard work!
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Slide Deck
Welcome! What is Division?
Think: When do we divide things?
### What does it mean to share equally?
Greet students and introduce the day's topic. Ask them to think about what division means. Encourage different answers and write down key ideas.
Division is Fair Sharing!
Division helps us split a total amount into equal groups.
It tells us how many are in each group, or how many groups we can make.
Continue the discussion. Provide a simple example if needed, like sharing cookies. Emphasize keywords like 'share equally,' 'grouping,' and 'how many in each group.'
Math Stories: Division Word Problems
Today, we're going to solve division story problems.
These stories help us use division for real-life math.
It's important to read them carefully!
Introduce word problems. Explain that these are math stories that help us use division in real life. Emphasize that reading carefully is key.
How to Solve a Division Story
- Read the story.
2. Find the total number.
3. Find how many groups OR how many in each group.
4. Divide to get your answer!
5. Draw a picture to help!
Explain the strategy for solving word problems: find the total, find the number of groups or items per group, and then divide.
Let's Solve One Together!
Example 1:
Sarah has 12 cookies. She wants to give them to her 3 friends equally.
How many cookies does each friend get?
Total: _____________
Groups: _____________
Equation: _____________
Answer: _____________
Guide students through this example. Ask them to identify the total (12) and the number of groups (3). Then, what operation should we use? (Division). Let them solve and share their answers. Model drawing if helpful.
Another Practice Problem!
Example 2:
A farmer picked 20 apples. He wants to put 5 apples in each basket.
How many baskets will he fill?
Total: _____________
Items per group: _____________
Equation: _____________
Answer: _____________
Another guided example. Ask students to find the total (20) and items per group (5). What operation? Let them solve. Reinforce drawing pictures.
Your Turn! Independent Practice
Now it's your turn to be the division detective!
Work on your Division Story Problems Worksheet.
Remember to:
* Read carefully.
* Show your work.
* Draw if it helps!
Transition to independent work. Remind students of the worksheet and offer help. Encourage them to use the strategies discussed.
Worksheet
Division Story Problems
Name: _____________________________
Directions: Read each math story carefully. Show your work and write your answer in the space provided. You can draw pictures to help you solve!
1. Cookies for Friends
Sarah has 15 cookies. She gives them to her 5 friends equally.
How many cookies does each friend get?
Show your work:
Answer: Each friend gets ________ cookies.
2. Pencils in Boxes
A teacher has 24 pencils. She puts 6 pencils in each box.
How many boxes will she need?
Show your work:
Answer: She will need ________ boxes.
3. Sharing Stickers
Tom has 28 stickers. He gives them to his 4 classmates equally.
How many stickers does each classmate get?
Show your work:
Answer: Each classmate gets ________ stickers.
4. Apples on Trays
A baker has 30 apples. He puts 5 apples on each tray.
How many trays will he use?
Show your work:
Answer: He will use ________ trays.
5. Toy Cars
Maria has 36 toy cars. She puts them into 4 equal groups.
How many toy cars are in each group?
Show your work:
Answer: There are ________ toy cars in each group.
6. Bookshelves
There are 42 books. Each shelf holds 7 books.
How many shelves are needed?
Show your work:
Answer: ________ shelves are needed.
Answer Key
Division Story Problems Answer Key
1. Cookies for Friends
Sarah has 15 cookies. She gives them to her 5 friends equally.
How many cookies does each friend get?
Thought Process:
- Total: 15 cookies
- Groups (friends): 5
- Operation: Division (sharing equally)
- Equation: 15 ÷ 5 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 5 goes into 15.
- 5 x 1 = 5
- 5 x 2 = 10
- 5 x 3 = 15
Answer: Each friend gets 3 cookies.
2. Pencils in Boxes
A teacher has 24 pencils. She puts 6 pencils in each box.
How many boxes will she need?
Thought Process:
- Total: 24 pencils
- Items per group (pencils per box): 6
- Operation: Division (grouping into equal parts)
- Equation: 24 ÷ 6 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 6 goes into 24.
- 6 x 1 = 6
- 6 x 2 = 12
- 6 x 3 = 18
- 6 x 4 = 24
Answer: She will need 4 boxes.
3. Sharing Stickers
Tom has 28 stickers. He gives them to his 4 classmates equally.
How many stickers does each classmate get?
Thought Process:
- Total: 28 stickers
- Groups (classmates): 4
- Operation: Division (sharing equally)
- Equation: 28 ÷ 4 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 4 goes into 28.
- 4 x 1 = 4
- 4 x 2 = 8
- 4 x 3 = 12
- 4 x 4 = 16
- 4 x 5 = 20
- 4 x 6 = 24
- 4 x 7 = 28
Answer: Each classmate gets 7 stickers.
4. Apples on Trays
A baker has 30 apples. He puts 5 apples on each tray.
How many trays will he use?
Thought Process:
- Total: 30 apples
- Items per group (apples per tray): 5
- Operation: Division (grouping into equal parts)
- Equation: 30 ÷ 5 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 5 goes into 30.
- 5 x 1 = 5
- 5 x 2 = 10
- 5 x 3 = 15
- 5 x 4 = 20
- 5 x 5 = 25
- 5 x 6 = 30
Answer: He will use 6 trays.
5. Toy Cars
Maria has 36 toy cars. She puts them into 4 equal groups.
How many toy cars are in each group?
Thought Process:
- Total: 36 toy cars
- Groups: 4
- Operation: Division (putting into equal groups)
- Equation: 36 ÷ 4 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 4 goes into 36.
- 4 x 1 = 4
- ... (students can list multiples)
- 4 x 9 = 36
Answer: There are 9 toy cars in each group.
6. Bookshelves
There are 42 books. Each shelf holds 7 books.
How many shelves are needed?
Thought Process:
- Total: 42 books
- Items per group (books per shelf): 7
- Operation: Division (grouping into equal parts)
- Equation: 42 ÷ 7 = ?
- Solve: We need to find how many times 7 goes into 42.
- 7 x 1 = 7
- ... (students can list multiples)
- 7 x 6 = 42
Answer: 6 shelves are needed.