Multiples in the Real World: Skip-Counting Patterns
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Students will identify multiples of whole numbers and apply them to solve real-world problems, including recognizing common multiples of two numbers (CCSS.MATH.4.OA.B.4).
Lesson Overview
Students discover and use multiples in real-world contexts, progressing from listing multiples of small numbers to identifying common multiples and solving multi-step problems. Structured as a Building Thinking Classrooms lesson with students working at vertical surfaces in visibly random groups.
Materials
- Vertical whiteboards or chart paper
- Dry-erase markers (one per group)
- Pencils and scratch paper for each student
Scaffolded Task Progression
List the first 6 multiples of 4. Show your skip-counting on the whiteboard.
How many muffins are on 5 trays?
List the first 6 multiples of 6.
Is 36 a multiple of 6? Is 38 a multiple of 6? How do you know?
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