Multiplication Word Problems: Choosing the Right Strategy

1. 1 Quick tables practice: teacher calls a multiplication fact, students answer on mini whiteboards. Focus on the 2, 5, and 10 times tables.
2. 2 Display: 'There are 4 bags. Each bag has 6 apples. How many apples are there altogether?' Read aloud. 'What do we know? What do we need to find out?' Underline key numbers.
3. 3 Show three approaches: (1) Draw an array — 4 rows of 6 dots. (2) Repeated addition — 6+6+6+6. (3) Known fact — 4 × 6 = 24. 'All three give the same answer. Which is fastest for you?'
4. 4 Work through two more problems together, asking students which strategy they prefer and why. Emphasise reading carefully — 'how many altogether' signals multiplication.
5. 5 Students solve 4 word problems independently, showing their chosen strategy for each. Problems should involve the 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 times tables.
6. 6 Show two worked examples — one correct, one where the student added instead of multiplied. Ask students to find and explain the error.
7. 7 Which strategy did you use most? When would you choose an array? When would you use a known fact?

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