Lesson Plan

Multiplication Magic Lesson Plan

Students will learn to multiply using arrays, repeated addition, and engaging games to build foundational multiplication skills. By lesson’s end, students will create visual arrays, solve basic multiplication problems, and demonstrate understanding through hands-on practice and an exit ticket.

This lesson makes multiplication tangible and fun, helping 3rd graders visualize number relationships and gain confidence. By using diverse strategies—arrays, flash cards, and bingo—students strengthen number sense and readiness for more advanced math.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Combine visual arrays, hands-on practice, and interactive games to reinforce multiplication.

Materials

Whiteboard and Markers, Counters or Small Objects, Multiplication Flash Cards, Array Building Mats, Multiplication Bingo Cards, and Multiplication Presentation Slides

Prep

Organize and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print and cut out Multiplication Flash Cards.
Prepare sets of Array Building Mats (laminate if possible).
Print a unique Multiplication Bingo Cards sheet for each student.
Load and review Multiplication Presentation Slides on the classroom display.
Gather counters or small objects and ensure each group has at least 20.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

Gather students in front of the board and display slide 1 of Multiplication Presentation Slides.
Ask: “What happens when we add 2 + 2 + 2?” Introduce multiplication as ‘fast addition.’
Model a 2×3 array with counters on Array Building Mats.
Explain rows and columns and connect to the multiplication sentence 2×3=6.

Step 2

Teaching Visual Arrays

7 minutes

Show additional arrays on the slides (e.g., 3×4, 4×2).
Have students replicate each array with their counters and mats.
Translate each array into a multiplication sentence aloud.
Emphasize vocabulary: factor, product, row, column.

Step 3

Hands-On Flash Card Relay

8 minutes

Divide into groups of 3–4 and distribute Multiplication Flash Cards and counters.
Students take turns drawing a card, building the array, stating the multiplication sentence, then passing the deck.
The next student repeats with a new card. Continue until time’s up.
Teacher circulates to check for correct arrays and sentences.

Step 4

Multiplication Bingo

8 minutes

Hand out Multiplication Bingo Cards and counters.
Call out multiplication sentences (e.g., “5×3”) or products (“15”).
Students cover the matching product on their cards.
First to get a row or column yells “Bingo!” and reads their covered sentences.
Review any missed products with the class.

Step 5

Reflection & Exit Ticket

2 minutes

Distribute a quick exit ticket: one multiplication problem (e.g., 6×4) and ask students to draw an array and write the sentence.
Collect exit tickets to assess individual understanding.
Summarize key takeaways and praise students’ efforts.

Slide Deck

Welcome to Multiplication Magic!

Multiplication is a fast way to add equal groups.

Can you think of adding the same number over and over? That’s multiplication!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Explain that today we’ll discover how multiplication is a faster way to add equal groups.

Understanding Arrays

An array shows equal groups in rows and columns.

Example:
2 rows of 3 counters = 2 × 3 = 6

Display a large visual array on the board or projector. Use counters or draw dots to model the example.

Key Vocabulary

• Factors: the numbers we multiply (e.g., 2 and 3)
• Product: the answer (e.g., 6)
• Rows: horizontal groups
• Columns: vertical groups

Define each term clearly and ask students to repeat. Reinforce by pointing to the rows and columns in the example.

More Array Examples

3 × 4 array:
3 rows of 4 = 12

4 × 2 array:
4 rows of 2 = 8

Show both examples visually (draw or use counters). Ask volunteers to translate each array aloud.

Your Turn: Build It!

Use your counters and mats to build an array for 5 × 2.

Then write the multiplication sentence below:

Give each student counters and a mat. Circulate and praise students building correctly.

Flash Card Relay

In groups of 3–4:

Draw a flash card.
Build the array with counters.
State the multiplication sentence.
Pass the deck to the next student.

Explain the relay rules and model one turn. Make sure each group has a clear space.

Multiplication Bingo

Listen for either:
• A multiplication sentence (e.g., 5 × 3)
• The product (e.g., 15)
Cover the matching product on your card. First row or column wins!

Hand out Bingo cards and counters. Model listening for both sentences and products.

Exit Ticket

Draw an array and write the sentence for 6 × 4:

Array drawing space:
[__________]

Sentence: ____________________

Distribute exit tickets. Remind students to draw neat arrays and write clearly.

Worksheet

Multiplication Flash Cards

Print this page and cut along the lines. Each card shows a multiplication fact on one side and is blank on the back. Use these cards for your Flash Card Relay activity!

1 × 1

1 × 2

1 × 3

1 × 4

1 × 5

2 × 1

2 × 2

2 × 3

2 × 4

2 × 5

3 × 1

3 × 2

3 × 3

3 × 4

3 × 5

4 × 1

4 × 2

4 × 3

4 × 4

4 × 5

After cutting, stack and shuffle the cards for use in group activities.

Worksheet

Array Building Mats

Use these mats to build visual arrays with counters or small objects. Each square represents one item. Label the number of rows and columns, place your counters, then write the multiplication sentence below each mat.

5 × 5 Grid

	1	2	3	4	5
1
2
3
4
5

Rows: _____ × Columns: _____ = _____

6 × 6 Grid

	1	2	3	4	5	6
1
2
3
4
5
6

Rows: _____ × Columns: _____ = _____

Free-Draw Grid

Draw your own grid for any array you choose (up to 8 rows and 8 columns). Then build it and write the multiplication sentence below.

[Draw grid here]

Rows: _____ × Columns: _____ = _____

Worksheet

Multiplication Bingo Cards

Use these cards to play Multiplication Bingo!
Instructions: Cut out one Bingo card for each student. As you call out a multiplication sentence (e.g., “4 × 5”) or just the product (e.g., “20”), students cover the matching product on their card. The first student to cover an entire row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and reads back the covered multiplication facts.

Name: ______________________ Date: ________________

Card 1

B	I	N	G	O
2	5	12	20	9
16	6	15	4	10
25	9	FREE	8	3
1	10	6	12	15
5	16	4	3	20

Card 2

B	I	N	G	O
3	6	25	4	2
10	12	1	20	8
9	FREE	15	5	16
12	3	10	9	5
8	15	2	16	4

Card 3

B	I	N	G	O
5	9	16	2	12
1	8	20	6	3
10	FREE	4	15	25
6	2	5	9	12
20	3	1	16	8

Card 4

B	I	N	G	O
8	15	1	10	4
6	20	3	16	12
9	FREE	5	2	25
4	12	8	6	15
20	3	10	1	16

Answer Key

Exit Ticket Answer Key

Multiplication Problem: 6 × 4

Correct Product: 24

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the two factors: 6 and 4.
Choose a way to draw the array. For example, draw 4 rows with 6 counters in each row.
Draw the array:
●●●●●●
●●●●●●
●●●●●●
●●●●●●
Count each group of 6 four times: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24.
Write the multiplication sentence:
4 × 6 = 24 (equivalently, 6 × 4 = 24).

Students’ work should include a neat drawing of the array and the sentence “6 × 4 = 24.”

Multiplication Magic

Elva Garcia

Lesson Plan

Multiplication Magic Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Organize and Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

Step 2

Teaching Visual Arrays

Step 3

Hands-On Flash Card Relay

Step 4

Multiplication Bingo

Step 5

Reflection & Exit Ticket

Slide Deck

Welcome to Multiplication Magic!

Understanding Arrays

Key Vocabulary

More Array Examples

Your Turn: Build It!

Flash Card Relay

Multiplication Bingo

Exit Ticket

Worksheet

Multiplication Flash Cards

1 × 1

1 × 2

1 × 3

1 × 4

1 × 5

2 × 1

2 × 2

2 × 3

2 × 4

2 × 5

3 × 1

3 × 2

3 × 3

3 × 4

3 × 5

4 × 1

4 × 2

4 × 3

4 × 4

Worksheet

Array Building Mats

5 × 5 Grid

6 × 6 Grid

Free-Draw Grid

Worksheet

Multiplication Bingo Cards

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Answer Key

Exit Ticket Answer Key