Multiplication and Division Lesson Plan: How Are Operations Connected in the Real World?

Submitted by: Ayesha S. Ames

Grade Levels: 3-5

In this multiplication and division lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 3 to 5, students use BrainPOP resources to explore the relationship between these operations. Students will also complete a variety of activities to help them understand these operations in real-world contexts.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Students will:

  1. Explore the relationship between multiplication and division.



dividend, divisor, quotient, remainder, divvy, share, product, factor


Use this lesson as an introduction to a unit on division. Be sure to preview the movie on division to plan talking and pause points.

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Have each student take and submit the Division Quiz (using clickers, computers, or paper/pencil) as a pre-assessment of their understanding of division. Use their scores as one measure to differentiate instruction throughout the unit.
  2. Ask students, “How is multiplication related to division?”
  3. Pose the following problem: How many boxes of crayons, with 8 crayons in each box, can be made with 32 crayons? Guide students with questions such as: How many 8s are in 32? 8 times what number is 32? How much is 32 divided by 8?
  4. Point out that in the division fact 32 / 8 = 4, the number 32 is the dividend, 8 is the divisor, and 4 is the quotient. Also, discuss the multiplication/division fact family: 4 * 8 = 32, 8 * 4 = 32, 32/4 = 8, and 32/8 = 4.
  5. Project the Star Diagram Activity Page for the class to see. Complete the activity page as a class. Type the students’ responses directly onto the page.
  6. Tell students you are going to watch the BrainPOP movie on division twice. The first time students should note any comments/questions. Prior to the second viewing, instruct students to fill in Vocabulary page as they watch the video.
  7. Discuss any comments, questions, and review vocabulary. Have students make any necessary corrections.
  8. Ask students to complete the Fill in the Chart Division Page. Remind them to reference their multiplication/division fact families, as this will make solving division problems much easier.
  9. Inquire, "Now, how do you think multiplication and division are related? Have your thoughts changed?" Discuss.