CPALMS Logo Generated on 9/18/2025 at 10:32 AM
The webpage this document was printed/exported from can be found at the following URL:
https://www.cpalms.org//PreviewStandard/Preview/5355
Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.
Standard #: MAFS.3.OA.1.1Archived Standard
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Mathematics
Grade: 3
Domain-Subdomain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Cluster: Level 1: Recall
Cluster: Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division. (Major Cluster) -

Clusters should not be sorted from Major to Supporting and then taught in that order. To do so would strip the coherence of the mathematical ideas and miss the opportunity to enhance the major work of the grade with the supporting clusters.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/14
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 02/14
Status: State Board Approved - Archived
Assessed: Yes
Related Courses
Related Resources
Educational Game
  • Arithmetic Workout # This interactive Flash applet offers three ways for students to practice basic fact skills related to multiplication and division. Users control the challenge level by choosing the size of the blank multiplication grid displayed by the applet. In Multiply mode users type in the product that completes a multiplication sentence. In Factor mode users click a grid cell that matches a given product. In Divide mode users type in a missing factor in the displayed multiplication sentence. A sound effect and timing feature are optional.
Formative Assessments
  • Writing Multiplication Word Problems # Students are asked to write multiplication word problems prompted by pictures and then to write both an addition and a multiplication expression that can be used to solve the problem.
  • What does the 21 mean? # Students are given a context for a multiplication problem and asked to determine how to solve it and what the product means.
  • Multiplication on the Number Line # Students are asked to explain how to use a number line for multiplying, in the context of a word problem.
  • Interpreting Multiplication # Students are asked to explain what 5 x 7 means and to provide a real-world context for 5 x 7.
Lesson Plans
  • Cheezy Arrays # This lesson is a hands-on activity that includes multiplication using arrays. The lesson also serves as a great transition from repeated addition to multiplication.
  • “Shoot for the Stars to Introduce Multiplication” # Students will learn how multiplication is related to repeated addition and use different strategies to find the product of equal groups situations.
  • Each Orange Had 8 Slices: Multiplying Equal Groups # Students will learn how to represent and count equal groups through the use of literature and situational story problems. Using the book Each Orange Had 8 Slices, students will use manipulatives to find the total number of objects in a collection of equal groups. Students will learn to write corresponding multiplication equations.
  • How many Circles? How many Stars? # “How many Circles? How many Stars?” is an activity that will give students a visual representation of multiplication. It will also help students see multiplication as the combining of equal-size groups that can be represented with a multiplication equation.
  • Hip, Hip, Array! # Students will develop their understanding of thinking in equal groups and arrays by building arrays using hands on activities.
  • The Poo on my Shoe! Multiplying with five,ten, and two # The lesson introduces the bridge between repeated addition and multiplication. Students will be able to work independently or with a partner and complete charts to demonstrate understating of equal groups and multiplication.
  • Circles and Stars # This is an introductory lesson to prepare students to move from using repeated addition to using multiplication to represent equal groups situations.
  • Florida Fish Aquarium Challenge # This task involves having students look at three different fish tank sizes and determine, using a data list, which fish will fit in these fish tanks based on their size. They will also need to look at other characteristics to determine how to group the fish together. Students will have to either multiply, divide or add repeatedly in order to find different solutions on how to place the fish in each tank size. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx
  • Group Singing Lessons # Students will decide which performing arts facility their principal should recommend for group chorus singing lessons. They will apply multiplication, division, and time skills for telling time to the nearest minute and time intervals. Students will work collaboratively as a group to analyze this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), and engage in collaborative discussion that involves higher level critical thinking. They will write letters on which performing arts facility is the best choice. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
  • Let's Multiply using Groups and Arrays # In this lesson, students will use pictures in arrays and groups to write multiplication story problems, write an equation, solve the problem, and identify the factors and products.
  • Product Productions # The lesson uses a movie making theme to teach the characteristics and purpose of arrays, as well as the vocabulary, factor and product.
  • Just Group It # Students will be able to use counters to create equal groups and write multiplication equations to represent these representations.
  • Arrays Show the Way to the Multiplication Chart # This is an introductory lesson to explore the use of arrays to solve multiplication problems. Students build arrays and save the arrays in a class Multiplication Chart. They learn to use arrays to find products and factors, and by placing them in the Multiplication Chart, they learn how to read the chart. They learn how to write equations to represent situations that are modeled with arrays. An overall theme is the organization of the multiplication chart and how it includes arrays within.
  • Hungry Zero # The definition of the Zero Property of Multiplication will be analyzed, modeled and practiced.   
  • Chip Chip Array! # Students work together to create arrays to represent given numbers.
  • Array to Multiply # In this lesson, students will understand the concept of arrays and will be able to create/draw an array for multiplication sentences. Engaging center game is used to help students with concrete visual representation of multiplication sentences.
  • Amazing Arrays # This is a hands-on lesson for introducing and practicing building arrays to create models that represent the distributive property of multiplication, and then using those arrays to draw models of the equations they represent.
  • Apples, Oranges, and Bananas of Math? # In this lesson, the students will work in independently or in small groups to write equations to represent situations as well as their own math riddles around the concepts of multiplication. The teacher will use the book, The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang, to support this lesson.
  • How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? # In this hands-on math exploration, students will use knowledge of estimation and multiplication to develop strategies for estimating how many seeds are in a medium-sized pumpkin.
  • Introduction to Multiplication using Literature # This lesson plan can be used to introduce the concept of multiplication to students through the use of literature. The story Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream is used to demonstrate the different ways to count items and how multiplication can make that process much faster.
  • Magnificent, Amazing Multiplication Arrays! # In this lesson students will be creating, describing, and analyzing arrays as they relate to multiplication. In addition, they will be working on hands on activities that allow them to justify their answers and prove their reasoning.
Original Student Tutorial
Presentation/Slideshow
Student Center Activity
  • Edcite: Mathematics Grade 3 # Students can practice answering mathematics questions on a variety of topics. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.
Teaching Idea
  • Shamu Math-SeaWorld Classroom Activity # In this activity, the students demonstrate that numbers can be used to describe various quantities and relationships between quantities. Students gain experience adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing - building their understanding of how numbers are put together and taken apart. Students connect what they know to symbolic representation using number sentences.
Text Resource
Tutorials
  • Using arrays to multiply # In this Khan Academy video tutorial, learn to use arrays and repeated addition to multiply. This is not an introductory video to either concept, to either concept. An array of 8 items is used to show how one array can be represented in multiple ways, using different factors of the whole.
  • Multiplication as groups of objects # In this Khan Acadmey tutorial video, learn to use arrays to show different groups of objects while relating this to multiplication.
  • Intro to multiplication # In this Khan Academy tutorial vidoe, learn to use arrays and repeated addition to visualize multiplication.
Virtual Manipulative
  • Pan Balance - Numbers # This tool helps students better understand that equality is a relationship and not an operational command to "find the answer." The applet features a pan balance that allows the student to input each half of an equation in the pans, which responds to the numerical expression's value by raising, lowering or balancing.
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
  • Florida Fish Aquarium Challenge # This task involves having students look at three different fish tank sizes and determine, using a data list, which fish will fit in these fish tanks based on their size. They will also need to look at other characteristics to determine how to group the fish together. Students will have to either multiply, divide or add repeatedly in order to find different solutions on how to place the fish in each tank size. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. MEAs resemble engineering problems and encourage students to create solutions in the form of mathematical and scientific models. Students work in teams to apply their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve an open-ended problem, while considering constraints and tradeoffs. Students integrate their ELA skills into MEAs as they are asked to clearly document their thought process. MEAs follow a problem-based, student centered approach to learning, where students are encouraged to grapple with the problem while the teacher acts as a facilitator. To learn more about MEA’s visit: https://www.cpalms.org/cpalms/mea.aspx
  • Group Singing Lessons # Students will decide which performing arts facility their principal should recommend for group chorus singing lessons. They will apply multiplication, division, and time skills for telling time to the nearest minute and time intervals. Students will work collaboratively as a group to analyze this Model Eliciting Activity (MEA), and engage in collaborative discussion that involves higher level critical thinking. They will write letters on which performing arts facility is the best choice. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
MFAS Formative Assessments
  • Interpreting Multiplication # Students are asked to explain what 5 x 7 means and to provide a real-world context for 5 x 7.
  • Multiplication on the Number Line # Students are asked to explain how to use a number line for multiplying, in the context of a word problem.
  • What does the 21 mean? # Students are given a context for a multiplication problem and asked to determine how to solve it and what the product means.
  • Writing Multiplication Word Problems # Students are asked to write multiplication word problems prompted by pictures and then to write both an addition and a multiplication expression that can be used to solve the problem.
Original Student Tutorials Mathematics - Grades K-5
Print Page | Close this window