Mystery Multipliers! Teacher Script

Warm-Up: Math Talk (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's get our brains warmed up for some math fun today. Can someone share one thing they already know or remember about multiplication? Don't worry, there are no wrong answers!"
(Allow 2-3 students to share. Prompt with questions like: "What does multiplication help us do?" or "Can you give an example?")

"Great ideas! We use multiplication for so many things, and today we're going to become detectives and use it to solve some mysteries: word problems!"

Introduction: What's the Mystery? (5 minutes)

"Look at our first slide, Mystery Multipliers!. Doesn't that look exciting? Our goal today is to solve word problems using multiplication. Think of it like this: word problems are like little stories that have a math puzzle hidden inside."

"Our mission today, as Word Problem Detectives, is to uncover those puzzles and solve them!" (Click to next slide: Our Mission: Word Problem Detectives)

"We have a special 5-step plan to help us solve every mystery. Let's look at them:"

• "Step 1: Read Carefully. This means understanding the story."
• "Step 2: Find the Clues. We'll look for important numbers and words."
• "Step 3: Draw a Picture. This helps us see the problem."
• "Step 4: Write the Equation. We'll turn our clues into a math problem."
• "Step 5: Solve It! And then we find the answer!"

"We're going to go through each step carefully, so everyone can become a word problem master!"

Guided Practice: Solving Mysteries Together (15 minutes)

"Let's start with Step 1: Read Carefully. This is so important. When we read a word problem, we need to read it like we're reading a story. Sometimes, reading it twice, or even three times, helps! It's like re-reading a tricky part of a book."

"Now, for Step 2: Find the Clues! Every good detective looks for clues. In math, our clues are the important numbers and words that tell us what to do. What kind of words tell us we need to multiply? Think, pair, share!"
(Wait for responses, guide them to keywords like 'each', 'groups of', 'in total' when referring to equal groups. You can point to the keywords on the slide.)

"Fantastic! These words are our secret signals that multiplication is the key to solving the mystery."

"On to Step 3: Draw a Picture (or Model). This is my favorite part! Sometimes, drawing a simple picture or a model helps us see the problem. You don't need to be an artist; simple shapes are perfect! If the problem is about 3 groups of 4, I might draw 3 circles, and put 4 dots in each circle. It helps my brain 'see' the math."

"Then comes Step 4: Write the Equation. This is where we write down the math problem using the numbers and our multiplication sign, the 'x'. If we drew 3 groups of 4, our equation would be 3 x 4."

"And finally, Step 5: Solve It!. Now we use our multiplication skills to find the answer. You can use your multiplication facts, repeated addition, or even count your drawing! Just remember, your answer needs a unit! Is it crayons? Is it apples? Is it stickers?"

"Okay, detectives, let's try one together! Open your Word Problem Worksheet to the first problem. Let's look at the example problem on our slide: Let's Practice Together!."

"Juan has 4 boxes of crayons. Each box has 8 crayons. How many crayons does Juan have in total?"

"First, Read Carefully. What is this story about? (Juan and his crayons.)"

"Next, Find the Clues. What are the important numbers? (4 and 8). What word tells us to multiply? ( extit{Each})"

"Now, Draw a Picture. On your worksheet, draw 4 boxes, and then draw 8 crayons in each box. You can just draw 8 small lines or circles for the crayons. Take your time."
(Allow time for students to draw, circulate and provide support. For students with autism, ensure they are grasping the visual representation.)

"Great drawings! Now, Write the Equation. Based on our picture and clues, what multiplication equation can we write? (4 x 8)."

"Finally, Solve It! What is 4 times 8? (32). And what are the units? (Crayons). So, Juan has 32 crayons in total!"

"Awesome work, everyone! Now, I want you to work with a partner. You'll continue with the problems on your Word Problem Worksheet. Remember to use our 5 steps. Talk to your partner about how you're solving each mystery. I'll be walking around to help if you get stuck or have questions. Take your time, focus on the steps, and remember your drawings can really help your brain!"
(Circulate, listen to discussions, offer hints, redirect, and provide specific support for students with autism, reinforcing the step-by-step process and visual strategies.)

Independent Practice/Check for Understanding (5 minutes)

"Alright detectives, time for your final challenge! Please choose one or two problems on your worksheet that you haven't solved yet and try to complete them all by yourself. Show all your steps, just like we practiced. This helps me see what awesome detectives you've become!"

"When you're done, please hand in your worksheet. I'll be looking to see how you used our 5 steps. Great job today, everyone! You've done an amazing job being multiplication mystery solvers!"

Word Problem Worksheet: Mystery Multipliers!

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________

Instructions: Be a Math Detective! Read each problem carefully. Use our 5 steps to solve each mystery. Remember to show your work (drawings, equations, and answers with units!).

Problem 1

Maria has 3 sticker packs. Each pack has 9 stickers. How many stickers does Maria have?

1. Read Carefully: What is the story about?
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues: What are the important numbers and words?
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Show your drawing here)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation:
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! (Don't forget the units!)
   
   
   
   

Problem 2

A farmer plants 5 rows of apple trees. There are 6 trees in each row. How many apple trees are there in total?

1. Read Carefully: What is the story about?
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues: What are the important numbers and words?
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Show your drawing here)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation:
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! (Don't forget the units!)
   
   
   
   

Problem 3

There are 7 days in one week. You track your steps for 4 weeks. How many days did you track your steps?

1. Read Carefully: What is the story about?
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues: What are the important numbers and words?
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Show your drawing here)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation:
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! (Don't forget the units!)
   
   
   
   

Problem 4

A baker makes 6 trays of cookies. Each tray has 10 cookies. How many cookies did the baker make?

1. Read Carefully: What is the story about?
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues: What are the important numbers and words?
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Show your drawing here)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation:
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! (Don't forget the units!)
   
   
   
   

Problem 5 (Challenge!)

Sara earns 8 dollars for each hour she babysits. She babysat for 3 hours. How much money did Sara earn?

1. Read Carefully: What is the story about?
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues: What are the important numbers and words?
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Show your drawing here)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation:
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! (Don't forget the units!)
   
   
   
   

Word Problem Answer Key: Mystery Multipliers!

This answer key provides the correct solutions and a step-by-step thought process for each problem on the Word Problem Worksheet, following the 5-step detective approach.

Problem 1

Maria has 3 sticker packs. Each pack has 9 stickers. How many stickers does Maria have?

1. Read Carefully: The story is about Maria and her sticker packs, needing to find the total number of stickers.
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues:

   • Important numbers: 3 (sticker packs), 9 (stickers in each pack)
   • Keywords: "Each", "How many... in total?" (implies multiplication of equal groups)
     
     
     
     

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Example: Draw 3 circles for packs, put 9 dots/lines in each circle)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation: 3 x 9 = ?
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! 3 x 9 = 27 stickers. Maria has 27 stickers.
   
   
   
   

Problem 2

A farmer plants 5 rows of apple trees. There are 6 trees in each row. How many apple trees are there in total?

1. Read Carefully: The story is about a farmer planting apple trees in rows and needing to find the total number of trees.
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues:

   • Important numbers: 5 (rows), 6 (trees in each row)
   • Keywords: "Each row", "How many... in total?"
     
     
     
     

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Example: Draw 5 rows, with 6 small trees/circles in each row)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation: 5 x 6 = ?
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! 5 x 6 = 30 apple trees. The farmer planted 30 apple trees.
   
   
   
   

Problem 3

There are 7 days in one week. You track your steps for 4 weeks. How many days did you track your steps?

1. Read Carefully: The story is about tracking steps over several weeks and needing to find the total number of days tracked.
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues:

   • Important numbers: 7 (days in one week), 4 (weeks)
   • Keywords: "days in one week", "for 4 weeks" (implies groups of 7 days)
     
     
     
     

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Example: Draw 4 groups, with 7 marks in each group)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation: 4 x 7 = ?
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! 4 x 7 = 28 days. You tracked your steps for 28 days.
   
   
   
   

Problem 4

A baker makes 6 trays of cookies. Each tray has 10 cookies. How many cookies did the baker make?

1. Read Carefully: The story is about a baker making cookies on trays and needing to find the total number of cookies.
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues:

   • Important numbers: 6 (trays), 10 (cookies in each tray)
   • Keywords: "Each tray", "How many cookies?"
     
     
     
     

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Example: Draw 6 rectangles for trays, put 10 small circles in each)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation: 6 x 10 = ?
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! 6 x 10 = 60 cookies. The baker made 60 cookies.
   
   
   
   

Problem 5 (Challenge!)

Sara earns 8 dollars for each hour she babysits. She babysat for 3 hours. How much money did Sara earn?

1. Read Carefully: The story is about Sara earning money for babysitting and needing to find her total earnings.
   
   
   
   

2. Find the Clues:

   • Important numbers: 8 (dollars per hour), 3 (hours)
   • Keywords: "Each hour", "How much money?"
     
     
     
     

3. Draw a Picture/Model: (Example: Draw 3 groups, with 8 dollar signs or tallies in each group)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Write the Equation: 3 x 8 = ?
   
   
   
   

5. Solve It! 3 x 8 = 24 dollars. Sara earned 24 dollars.