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PSPKK12321 Comments

Multiplication problem solving activity

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Looking for a fun way to mix multiplication and problem solving? Try this!

When I told my third grader that it was time for him to a multiplication activity with me, he groaned.

“But Mom, I don’t like multiplication.”

“Well, let’s just give this activity a try.”

Before long, he was giggling and asking to complete the full activity.

What could possibly make multiplication so much fun?

A monster lab!

This game is in a learning center format.

You will need:

  • One picture mat with all 9 of the monsters
  • 24 monster lab math problems (cut apart as individual cards)
  • 1 recording sheet for each student

To play, my son chose a problem card. He read the problem aloud, and referred to the monster on the picture sheet to figure out the math problem.

In the above example, he saw that Ernie has 5 eyeballs. If Dr. Crazy wants to make 6 Ernies, he needs to do the following math problem to find out how many eyeballs he will need:

6 x 5 = 30 eyeballs

After he completed each problem, he recorded it on his answer sheet. He had to write the number of the card, show his work, and circle the answer.

Some problems require several steps, as you see in the above example.

Encourage your learners to use different methods of problem solving as appropriate. In the above example, my son drew a picture to solve card #5.

He was a little confused with card #17 until I showed him that writing a list could help him solve the problem.

The bundle comes with 24 cards, but students only need to complete 12 cards to finish the activity.

I hope your learners have as much fun with this as my son did!

Get your free Multiplication Monster Lab!

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Filed Under: Problem Solving, Math, Multiplication & Division Tagged With: third grade, problem solving, multiplication

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Reader Interactions

21 Comments

  1. Alison

    October 22, 2019 at 9:47 am

    Hi Anna,
    I love your Monster Lab Multiplication Activity! 🙂
    However, I can’t get it to print in a usable size – The math problem cards are printing as 1″x1″ cards. I tried printing one of my own documents, and it prints correctly, so I don’t think it’s a problem with my printer settings. (?)
    Thanks,
    Alison

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      October 27, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      I’m sorry, Alison, I have no idea why that would be! 🙁 No one else has reported this issue. One thing I always recommend is to download and print with the free Adobe Reader: https://get.adobe.com/reader/

      Reply to this comment
  2. Cheryl Hendricks

    September 12, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    I’m so excited to have come across your website. Among other things I have found, this activity to help my some enjoy practicing math has been great! Thanks you so much for sharing all your ideas and printable!!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      September 17, 2019 at 6:44 pm

      You’re welcome, Cheryl!

      Reply to this comment
  3. Scarlet

    April 7, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Everything is more fun with cute monster drawings! Thanks for the great multiplication problem solving activity!

    Reply to this comment
  4. Robin Warden

    April 6, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    This is so great! I love these kinds of activities! I can’t get enough of these kinds of things just like the mystery problem solving ones! Make some more!! Thank you!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:47 am

      I’ll see what I can do, Robin! Thanks so much for your feedback!

      Reply to this comment
  5. Janet

    April 4, 2019 at 8:49 am

    I share your site with all my teacher friends! I am a SPED teacher and I love your resources. You’ve made a real difference in how my kiddos feel about learning!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:48 am

      That is so wonderful to hear, Janet! Thanks for passing on my site!

      Reply to this comment
  6. Lauren

    April 2, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Thank you so much! We needed this after my son is sick of drills through multiplication!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:50 am

      You’re very welcome, Lauren!

      Reply to this comment
  7. Liz Dorrington

    April 1, 2019 at 11:42 am

    What a cool, fun activity! Simple, yet effective in engaging the kids.

    Reply to this comment
    • Lauren

      April 2, 2019 at 10:14 am

      Thank you so much! We needed this after my son is sick of drills through multiplication!

      Reply to this comment
  8. Melisa

    April 1, 2019 at 8:28 am

    What a fun activity!
    The answer to number 7 is not correct though!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 1, 2019 at 10:04 am

      thanks – will check it!

      Reply to this comment
      • Beverly

        April 1, 2019 at 10:53 am

        It is correct! You missed the two exterior eyeballs. There are 6 eyeballs not 4.

        Reply to this comment
  9. Tracy

    April 1, 2019 at 12:59 am

    Anna you’re the best!

    This is great, it’s so much fun. I’m sure the kids will love it.
    Thank you.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:39 am

      You’re welcome, Tracy!

      Reply to this comment
  10. Hae

    March 31, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    It looks so much fun! My little one always wonders why she needs to learn multiplication (because her daily life really doesn’t require her to multiply any numbers), but this is a good example that her math skill can be very useful when she needs to build MONSTERS (which she is in love with)!! Thank you, Anna! =)

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 27, 2019 at 8:50 am

      I hope she likes this, Hae!

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

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