Lesson Plan
Multiplication Vocabulary Lesson Plan
Students will learn and define key multiplication terms—factor, product, array, and multiples—through interactive examples and practice to boost math vocabulary and fluency.
Understanding multiplication vocabulary empowers students to grasp operations more deeply, supports problem-solving, and builds confidence in math discourse and computation.
Audience
5th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive definitions and hands-on practice
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 minutes
- Print or assemble Multiplication Vocabulary Word Cards
- Make copies of Array Building Activity Sheet and Multiple Hunt Quiz
- Load Factor Frenzy Interactive Slide Deck on the classroom projector
- Organize Product Match-Up Game Cards for quick distribution
- Review definitions and examples of each term
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Ask students what happens when you multiply two numbers
- Write ‘factor’, ‘product’, ‘array’, and ‘multiples’ on the board
- Elicit any prior knowledge or examples from students
- Explain that today they’ll learn formal definitions and practice using the words
Step 2
Vocabulary Presentation
10 minutes
- Display Factor Frenzy Interactive Slide Deck
- Define each term clearly with text and visuals:
- Factor: numbers you multiply together
- Product: result of multiplying
- Array: visual rows and columns showing multiplication
- Multiples: results of multiplying a given number by whole numbers
- Ask quick-check questions after each definition
Step 3
Guided Practice: Card Match
7 minutes
- Distribute Multiplication Vocabulary Word Cards to students
- Students pair up and match term cards with definition or example cards
- Circulate to confirm correct matches and clarify misconceptions
Step 4
Hands-On Activity: Array Building
5 minutes
- Hand out Array Building Activity Sheet
- Give each student 2–3 factor pairs to draw arrays for
- Instruct them to label rows, columns, and write the product
- Invite a few volunteers to share their arrays with the class
Step 5
Exit Ticket: Multiple Hunt
3 minutes
- Pass out Multiple Hunt Quiz
- Students complete a short set of questions identifying multiples of 3, 4, and 5
- Collect quizzes to assess understanding

Slide Deck
Factor Frenzy Interactive Slide Deck
Welcome to our multiplication vocabulary journey! Today we'll explore key terms: factor, product, array, and multiples. Get ready to participate and check your understanding along the way!
Greet the class, introduce today’s objective, and emphasize participation.
Factor
A factor is a number you multiply with another to get a product.
Example: 3 × 4 = 12, so 3 and 4 are factors of 12.
Point to the example. Ask: “What are the factors in 5 × 6?” Call on students.
Quick-Check: Factors of 18
Which numbers are factors of 18?
A. 2 B. 9 C. 5 D. 6
(Choose all that apply.)
Ask students to raise their hands for each correct answer. (Correct answers: 2, 9, and 6.)
Product
The product is the result of multiplying two (or more) factors.
Example: 3 × 4 = 12, so 12 is the product.
Highlight the result. Ask: “What is the product of 7 × 8?”
Quick-Check: Calculate the Product
What is the product of 5 × 7?
(Type or say your answer.)
Have students write their answer on mini whiteboards or shout out.
Array
An array is a set of objects arranged in rows and columns to illustrate multiplication.
Example: 3 rows of 4 dots show 3 × 4 = 12.
Display an image of the dot array or draw on the board. Point out rows and columns.
Quick-Check: Interpreting an Array
Here is an array (draw or show on the board): 2 rows of 5 stars.
What multiplication sentence does it represent?
Ask: “How many rows? How many columns? What multiplication sentence does it represent?”
Multiples
Multiples are the products of a given number and whole numbers.
Example: Multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, …
Discuss the pattern in multiples. Ask: “What are the first four multiples of 3?”
Summary and Reflection
Today we learned:
• Factor: numbers we multiply
• Product: result of multiplying
• Array: visual rows × columns
• Multiples: sequence of products
Turn to a partner and share one new thing you learned!
Encourage peer sharing. Prepare to transition to the card-match activity.

Worksheet
Array Building Activity Sheet
This activity sheet is designed for use with the Multiplication Vocabulary Lesson Plan. Draw arrays for each factor pair to visualize multiplication, label your rows and columns, then write the multiplication sentence and product.
-
Factor Pair: 3 × 5
Draw the array below (use dots, X’s, or squares):
Multiplication sentence and product:
-
Factor Pair: 4 × 6
Draw the array below (use dots, X’s, or squares):
Multiplication sentence and product:
-
Factor Pair: 2 × 7
Draw the array below (use dots, X’s, or squares):
Multiplication sentence and product:
-
Factor Pair: 5 × 4
Draw the array below (use dots, X’s, or squares):
Multiplication sentence and product:
-
Factor Pair: 6 × 3
Draw the array below (use dots, X’s, or squares):
Multiplication sentence and product:
Great work! Be ready to share one of your arrays and explain how you labeled the rows and columns.


Worksheet
Multiple Hunt Quiz
This exit ticket is designed for use with the Multiplication Vocabulary Lesson Plan. Show your understanding of multiples below.
-
List the first four multiples of 3:
-
List the first four multiples of 4:
-
List the first four multiples of 5:
-
Which of these numbers is NOT a multiple of 5? Circle one:
A. 15 B. 25 C. 31 D. 45
Great work! Hand this in to check your understanding of multiples.


Game
Product Match-Up Game Cards
Objective: Students will reinforce their understanding of multiplication vocabulary by matching term cards with their corresponding definitions/examples.
Materials:
- A shuffled deck containing:
- 4 term cards: Factor, Product, Array, Multiples
- 4 definition/example cards that correspond to each term
Setup:
- Print and cut out the cards.
- Shuffle all cards together and deal them face down to student pairs (4 cards each if you have pairs of students).
Instructions:
- Turn-taking: Students take turns flipping over one card from their hand and one card from the center pile (or their own hand, if working with a small deck).
- Matching: If the two cards match (term + its correct definition/example), the student keeps the pair and takes another turn.
If they do not match, both cards are turned face-down again, and play passes to the partner. - Winning: Continue until all matches have been made. The student with the most matched pairs wins.
Card Details:
Card Type | Card Text | Match ID |
---|---|---|
Term Card | Factor | 1 |
Definition | A number you multiply with another to get a product. Example: 3 and 4 in 3 × 4 = 12. | 1 |
Term Card | Product | 2 |
Definition | The result of multiplying two or more factors. Example: 12 is the product of 3 × 4. | 2 |
Term Card | Array | 3 |
Definition | Objects arranged in rows and columns to illustrate multiplication. Example: 3 rows of 4 dots show 3 × 4 = 12. | 3 |
Term Card | Multiples | 4 |
Definition | The sequence of products of a given number and whole numbers. Example: 4, 8, 12, 16 … are multiples of 4. | 4 |
Teacher Tips:
- Circulate to confirm students understand each match.
- Encourage students to verbalize why a term and definition belong together.
- For an extra challenge, add more cards (e.g., “factor pair,” “quotient,” etc.) once students have mastered these four terms.


Worksheet
Multiplication Vocabulary Word Cards
Use these printable cards for the card‐match activity in the Multiplication Vocabulary Lesson Plan. Print, cut along the lines, and have students match term cards with definition cards.
Term Cards
- Factor
- Product
- Array
- Multiples
Definition Cards
- A number you multiply with another to get a product. Example: 3 and 4 in 3 × 4 = 12.
- The result of multiplying two (or more) factors. Example: 12 is the product of 3 × 4.
- Objects arranged in rows and columns to illustrate multiplication. Example: 3 rows of 4 dots show 3 × 4 = 12.
- The products of a given number and whole numbers. Example: 4, 8, 12, 16 … are multiples of 4.
Cut on the lines to create eight cards: four term cards and four definition cards for matching practice.

