Lesson Plan
Math Whiz Challenge
Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of 4th-grade arithmetic concepts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and basic problem-solving) by actively participating in a math game and completing a short assessment.
Mastering basic arithmetic is crucial for future mathematical success and everyday problem-solving. This lesson makes practice engaging and helps identify areas for further support in 4th-grade math.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive game followed by a quick individual assessment.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Math Whiz Challenge Slide Deck, Arithmetic Action Worksheet, Math Race Game Cards, Math Skills Test, Math Skills Test Answer Key, and Arithmetic Action Worksheet Answer Key
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Math Whiz Challenge Slide Deck, Arithmetic Action Worksheet, Math Race Game Cards, Math Skills Test, Math Skills Test Answer Key, and Arithmetic Action Worksheet Answer Key.
- Print copies of the Arithmetic Action Worksheet (one per student).
- Print and cut out the Math Race Game Cards.
- Prepare the projector/whiteboard for the slide deck.
- Have pencils or pens available for students.
Step 1
Warm-up: Mental Math Minute
3 minutes
Project the first slide of the Math Whiz Challenge Slide Deck.
Ask students to quickly solve a few mental math problems (e.g., 25+18, 50-24, 7x6).
Briefly discuss strategies for quick mental calculations.
Slide Deck
Math Whiz Challenge: Are YOU a Math Master?
Get ready to prove your math skills!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting Math Whiz Challenge! Explain that today's lesson is about showing off their awesome math skills.
Warm-up: Mental Math Minute
Let's get our brains buzzing with some quick math!
What is 25 + 18?
What is 50 - 24?
What is 7 x 6?
Start with a quick mental math warm-up. Call out slightly more complex addition, subtraction, or multiplication problems and ask students to answer quickly. Encourage different strategies.
Game Time: Math Race!
Ready, Set, GO!
- Work with your partner or team.
- Solve the problems on the cards.
- First team with the correct answer gets a point!
- Let's have fun and learn!
Explain the 'Math Race' game rules clearly. Emphasize teamwork if playing in groups, or friendly competition if pairs. Show an example of a game card.
Quick Practice: Arithmetic Action!
Time for some individual practice to show what you know!
- Complete the worksheet on your own.
- Do your best work!
- We'll review some answers together.
Introduce the worksheet as a quick individual practice session. Ensure students understand it's to reinforce concepts from the game.
Show What You Know: Math Skills Test
It's time to show off your amazing math skills!
- Work independently.
- Read each question carefully.
- Do your best!
Introduce the test as a way to check individual progress. Reassure students that it's a chance to demonstrate their learning.
Worksheet
Arithmetic Action Worksheet
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Solve the following problems. Show your work!
- 145 + 87 =
- 312 - 95 =
- 12 x 8 =
- 64 / 8 =
- A baker made 130 cookies and sold 85 of them. How many cookies are left?
- If you read 15 pages a day, how many pages will you read in 7 days?
Game
Math Race Game Cards
Cut out these cards and mix them up! Work with a partner to solve the problems. The first to answer correctly gets the point!
Card 1
35 + 27 = ?
Card 2
80 - 43 = ?
Card 3
9 x 7 = ?
Card 4
56 / 7 = ?
Card 5
105 + 48 = ?
Card 6
210 - 75 = ?
Card 7
11 x 6 = ?
Card 8
72 / 8 = ?
Card 9
What is 120 more than 90?
Card 10
If a book has 96 pages and you read 37, how many pages are left?
Card 11
How many wheels do 7 tricycles have in total?
Card 12
Share 45 candies equally among 5 friends. How many does each friend get?
Test
Math Skills Test
Answer Key
Math Skills Test Answer Key
Here are the answers to the Math Skills Test. Review these to understand the correct solutions.
1. What is 135 + 87?
Answer: 222
Thought Process: Add the ones place (5 + 7 = 12). Carry over the 1 to the tens place. Add the tens place (3 + 8 + 1 = 12). Carry over the 1 to the hundreds place. Add the hundreds place (1 + 1 = 2). So, 135 + 87 = 222.
2. Subtract 128 from 300.
Answer: 172
Thought Process: Set up the subtraction vertically. You can't subtract 8 from 0, so borrow from the tens place (which is also 0), so borrow from the hundreds place (3 becomes 2, the first 0 becomes 9, and the last 0 becomes 10). 10 - 8 = 2. Then, 9 - 2 = 7. Finally, 2 - 1 = 1. So, 300 - 128 = 172.
3. Multiply 15 by 6.
Answer: 90
Thought Process: Multiply 6 by 5 (ones place) which is 30. Write down 0 and carry over 3. Multiply 6 by 1 (tens place) which is 6, then add the carried over 3 (6 + 3 = 9). So, 15 x 6 = 90.
4. Divide 81 by 9.
Answer: 9
Thought Process: Think: "How many times does 9 go into 81?" or "What number multiplied by 9 equals 81?" The answer is 9.
5. A baker made 150 cupcakes. He sold 75 in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. How many cupcakes are left?
Answer: 25
Thought Process: First, find the total number of cupcakes sold: 75 + 50 = 125. Then, subtract the total sold from the total made: 150 - 125 = 25. So, 25 cupcakes are left.
Answer Key
Arithmetic Action Worksheet Answer Key
Here are the answers to the Arithmetic Action Worksheet. Use this to check your work.
1. 145 + 87 = ?
Answer: 232
Thought Process: Add the ones: 5 + 7 = 12. Write down 2, carry over 1. Add the tens: 4 + 8 + 1 (carried over) = 13. Write down 3, carry over 1. Add the hundreds: 1 + 1 (carried over) = 2. Combine for 232.
2. 312 - 95 = ?
Answer: 217
Thought Process: Subtract the ones: You can't subtract 5 from 2, so borrow from the tens (1 becomes 0, 2 becomes 12). 12 - 5 = 7. Subtract the tens: You can't subtract 9 from 0, so borrow from the hundreds (3 becomes 2, 0 becomes 10). 10 - 9 = 1. Subtract the hundreds: 2 - 0 = 2. Combine for 217.
3. 12 x 8 = ?
Answer: 96
Thought Process: Recall multiplication facts or use partial products: (10 x 8) + (2 x 8) = 80 + 16 = 96.
4. 64 / 8 = ?
Answer: 8
Thought Process: Think: "How many times does 8 go into 64?" or "What number multiplied by 8 equals 64?" The answer is 8.
5. A baker made 130 cookies and sold 85 of them. How many cookies are left?
Answer: 45 cookies
Thought Process: "Left" indicates subtraction. 130 - 85. Borrow from the tens (3 becomes 2, 0 becomes 10). 10 - 5 = 5. Borrow from the hundreds (1 becomes 0, 2 becomes 12). 12 - 8 = 4. So, 45 cookies are left.
6. If you read 15 pages a day, how many pages will you read in 7 days?
Answer: 105 pages
Thought Process: This is a multiplication problem. 15 pages/day * 7 days = 105 pages. (10 x 7) + (5 x 7) = 70 + 35 = 105.