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Times Tables Superheroes!

Lesson Plan

Times Tables Superheroes!

Students will actively engage in practicing their times tables (1-10) up to 100 through an interactive superhero-themed activity, improving recall and fluency.

Mastering times tables is a fundamental skill for all future math concepts. This lesson makes practice exciting and memorable, helping students build confidence and develop a strong mathematical foundation.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive activity and creative application of multiplication facts.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Superhero Slide Deck, Superhero Script, Superhero Discussion Guide, Superhero Times Tables Creator, Markers or Pencils, and Optional: Art supplies for decorating templates

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Superhero Slide Deck and Superhero Script to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow.
    - Print enough copies of the Superhero Times Tables Creator for each student.
    - Ensure you have markers or pencils readily available.
    - (Optional) Gather additional art supplies if you wish for students to decorate their superhero templates.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Super Speed Recall

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick mental math warm-up. Ask students various multiplication facts (e.g., "What is 3x4?", "What is 7x5?"). Encourage them to shout out answers.
    - Introduce the idea of 'super speed' for times tables recall, setting the stage for the superhero theme.

Step 2

Introduction: Meet Our Multiplication Mission

10 minutes

  • Use the Superhero Slide Deck to introduce the lesson.
    - Follow the Superhero Script to engage students in the superhero theme and explain the 'Multiplication Mission'.
    - Discuss the importance of mastering times tables, relating it to gaining 'superpowers' for math.

Step 3

Activity: Superhero Times Tables Creator

20 minutes

  • Distribute the Superhero Times Tables Creator worksheet.
    - Explain the activity: students will choose a times table they want to master (or one assigned by the teacher) and create a superhero based on it, writing out the multiplication facts.
    - Circulate the room, providing support and encouragement. Observe students' progress and offer targeted assistance where needed.

Step 4

Share & Discuss: Our Super Squad

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together. Ask a few students to share their superhero creations and some of the times tables they wrote.
    - Use the Superhero Discussion Guide to facilitate a brief class discussion on strategies for remembering times tables and how they feel about their 'multiplication superpowers'.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Future Superheroes!

Get ready to unlock your super math powers!

Welcome students and get them excited about math! Ask them what they know about superheroes and their powers.

Your Multiplication Mission!

Every superhero needs a mission!
Your mission: Master your times tables!
Why? Because times tables are your MATH SUPERPOWERS!

Introduce the concept of multiplication facts as 'superpowers' for solving bigger math problems. Explain that mastering them makes math easier and faster.

Create Your Math Superhero!

  1. Design your amazing math superhero! Think of cool names and appearances (e.g., Captain Math, The Times Table Titan, capes, symbols!). You can look at the example superhero on your worksheet for inspiration!
    2. Write down 10 multiplication facts you want to practice and master! (e.g., 7x3=21, 9x5=45).
    3. Make it awesome!

Explain the activity clearly. Students will design a general math superhero and then write out 10 multiplication facts they want to practice. Remind them to look at the example superhero on their worksheet for inspiration.

Share Your Superpowers!

Let's see your amazing Times Tables Superheroes!
What multiplication superpowers did you unlock?
What strategies helped you remember your facts?

Encourage students to share their creations and discuss strategies. Foster a positive and collaborative environment.

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Script

Superhero Script: Times Tables Power-Up

(Warm-Up: Super Speed Recall - 5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, future math superheroes! Before we embark on our mission, let's get our brains warmed up. I'm going to call out some multiplication facts, and I want you to shout out the answers as fast as you can! Think of it as a super-speed mental math challenge! Ready? What is 3 times 4?"


Teacher: "Excellent! How about 7 times 5?"


Teacher: "Fantastic! Keep that super speed going!"

(Introduction: Meet Our Multiplication Mission - 10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Superhero Slide Deck - Slide 1: "Welcome, Future Superheroes!") "Welcome, brilliant minds! Today, we're not just doing math; we're training to become Times Tables Superheroes! Just like a superhero has special powers, mastering your times tables gives you incredible math superpowers. These powers will help you solve bigger, trickier problems much faster!"

Teacher: (Transition to Superhero Slide Deck - Slide 2: "Your Multiplication Mission!") "Every superhero needs a mission, and today, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to master your times tables! Think of each times table as a unique superpower. If you master the 7s, you become the 'Seven-Sensei'! If you conquer the 9s, you're the 'Nifty-Nine Ninja'!"

Teacher: "Why is this mission so important? Because knowing your times tables makes all of math easier. It's like having a secret weapon for every math challenge you face!"

(Activity: Superhero Times Tables Creator - 20 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Superhero Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Create Your Math Superhero!") "Now for the fun part! You are going to create your very own Math Superhero! I'm handing out a Superhero Times Tables Creator worksheet to everyone. Here's how it works:

  • Step 1: Design Your Math Superhero! Every superhero has a special look and name! You can get inspiration from common superhero names and appearances. Maybe your hero has a name like 'Captain Math' or 'The Times Table Titan'! Think about what they wear, their colors, and any special symbols. How can their appearance show they are a master of multiplication? Look at the example superhero on your worksheet, 'Professor Product,' for inspiration!
  • Step 2: Unleash Your Superhero's Powers! On the worksheet, you'll show off your superhero's amazing multiplication skills by writing out 10 multiplication facts that you want to practice and master. You can pick any times tables you like – maybe some you find tricky, or some you want to get super fast at!

I'll be walking around to help anyone who needs it. Remember, this is your chance to really own those times tables!"

(Circulate, provide assistance, and encourage students.)

(Share & Discuss: Our Super Squad - 10 minutes)

Teacher: (Transition to Superhero Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Share Your Superpowers!") "Alright, Times Tables Superheroes! Let's bring it back together. I'm so impressed with the creativity and hard work I'm seeing! Who would like to share their new superhero and some of the amazing multiplication facts they chose to practice with the class? Don't be shy, let your superpowers shine!"

(Allow 3-4 students to share their creations and facts.)

Teacher: "Incredible! Now, let's use our Superhero Discussion Guide to talk about what we learned and how we can keep our multiplication superpowers strong!"

(Refer to Superhero Discussion Guide for prompts.)

Teacher: "Before we wrap up, remember, every time you practice your times tables, you're getting stronger, smarter, and closer to becoming a true math superhero! Keep practicing, and you'll be unstoppable!"

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Discussion

Superhero Discussion Guide: Level Up Your Math Powers!

Use these prompts to facilitate a brief class discussion after the 'Superhero Times Tables Creator' activity:

  1. "What kind of multiplication superpowers does your superhero have? What are some of the multiplication facts you focused on or found most interesting while creating your hero?"


    • (Encourage students to share their chosen facts and discuss why they found them interesting or challenging. Reinforce that their superhero helps them with ALL multiplication.)
  2. "What was the most challenging part of creating your superhero and writing out the facts? What was the easiest?"


    • (Allows students to reflect on difficulties and successes. Discuss common challenges and how they overcame them.)
  3. "What strategies did you use to remember the times tables facts for your superhero? Did you notice any patterns?"


    • (Prompt students to share memory tricks, skip counting, or other methods. Highlight patterns they might have observed, e.g., in the 9s table.)
  4. "How do you feel now about your multiplication 'superpowers'? Do you feel stronger and more confident about tackling different times tables? Why or why not?"


    • (Encourage self-reflection on their progress and confidence. Reinforce the idea that practice builds power for all times tables.)
  5. "How can we continue to 'level up' our multiplication superpowers outside of this class to master all our times tables? What are some ways you can practice more?"


    • (Brainstorm ideas for continued practice, like flashcards, online games, or helping a family member with math problems, emphasizing the goal of mastering all facts.)
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Activity

Superhero Times Tables Creator!

Your Mission: Create a powerful math superhero who masters multiplication!

Step 1: Design Your Math Superhero!

Now, it's time to create your hero's look and name!

  • Superhero Name Ideas: Think of cool names like 'The Flash', 'Wonder Woman', 'Captain Math', 'Multiplication Master Mike', or 'The Times Table Titan'!
  • Appearance Ideas: Does your hero wear a cape? Have a special symbol? What colors are their costume? How does their appearance show they are a math whiz? Maybe they have lightning bolts representing speed, or gears for problem-solving!

Example Superhero: The Problem Solver!

  • Name: Professor Product
  • Appearance: Wears a blue cape with a giant 'x' symbol on the back, representing multiplication. They also have super-sharp math vision goggles and a belt filled with number crunchers!

Draw your superhero in the box below! Give them a cool name and show how they are a master of multiplication.













My Superhero's Name: __________________


Step 2: Unleash Your Superhero's Powers!

Show off your superhero's amazing multiplication skills! Write out 10 multiplication facts that you want to practice and master. You can pick from any times tables you like!

  1. _____ x _____ = _____

  2. _____ x _____ = _____

  3. _____ x _____ = _____

  4. _____ x _____ = _____

  5. _____ x _____ = _____

  6. _____ x _____ = _____

  7. _____ x _____ = _____

  8. _____ x _____ = _____

  9. _____ x _____ = _____

  10. _____ x _____ = _____
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Times Tables Superheroes! • Lenny Learning