Cookie Monster Bake Sale

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

3

Overview

During this learning activity, students will solve a quality task that allows students to find the product of a given problem using equal grouping. Cookie Monster needs help counting the number of cookies he is baking for the school's bake sale. Students will first build the problem using counters then solve the problem and write the multiplication expression that matches what they built. 

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 3

MA19.3.1

Illustrate the product of two whole numbers as equal groups by identifying the number of groups and the number in each group and represent as a written expression.

UP:MA19.3.1

Vocabulary

  • Equal groups
  • Equation
  • Expression
  • Factor
  • Product
  • Array
  • Row
  • Column
  • Skip count

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that in multiplication, one factor represents the number of groups and the other factor represents the number of items in each group, and the product represents the total number of items in all of the groups.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use a model or drawing to illustrate the product of two whole numbers.
  • Write an expression or equation to represent the product of two whole numbers identifying the number of equal groups and the group size.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a multiplication problem can be interpreted as x groups of y objects.

Learning Objectives

Students will build the product of two whole numbers as equal groups using manipulatives. 

Students will illustrate and identify the number of groups and the number in each group and represent the product as a written expression. 

Activity Details

The teacher will display the "Cookie Monster Bake Sale" slides. 

Before starting the activity, show the title slide. Ask students, "What are you wondering?" "What do you think this problem is about?"

Continue to go through the slides. Make sure students have counters or some type of manipulative that can be used on Slide 3 and their student notebooks for recording information. 

Allow students to share their illustrations and answers to the questions on Slide 4. This should spark a class discussion on finding multiplication expressions for equal groups. 

Assessment Strategies

Students should be able to build 4 rows with 6 manipulatives in each row. 

Students should be able to illustrate and solve 4 x 6 = 24 cookies. 

Variation Tips

This activity can be extended by asking the students how many cookies would Cookie Monster make if he baked x number of pans. 

Background / Preparation

Counters or other manipulatives should be provided for each student.

Students will need their notebooks, pencil & paper, or dry erase board to record their answers. 

The teacher should preview the Cookie Monster task and provide a way to display it. 

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