Mario Kart Multiplication Math Lesson

This lesson can be used as an introduction to multiplication or a reinforcement activity for multiplication in Grade 3.

Minds-On:  Ask students if they know who Mario and Luigi are.  What games are Mario and Luigi in?  Have you ever played Mario Kart?  What kind of vehicles are in Mario Kart?

Show students how to group counters into groups of 2, 3 and 4 (representing 2-wheeled vehicles, 3-wheeled vehicles and 4-wheeled vehicles) using Google Drawings pre-made template.  Ask students how we can count represent multiple groups of 2, 3 or 4.  Is there a faster way to add multiple groups?   Provide students with opportunities to come up to the Smart board to manipulate the counters and write addition & multiplication sentences.

Action:   

In partners or small groups, challenge students to build 8 karts for the characters in Mario Kart using 20 tires.  Students will show their work in Google Drawings using the counters provided to make groups of 2-wheeled vehicles, 3-wheeled vehicles and 4-wheeled vehicles or any combination of the vehicles.  Encourage students to make copies of the Google Drawings template in order to represent various combinations.  Remind students to include addition & multiplication sentences.
Once students have found various combinations for 20 tires, they can be challenged to use 50 tires.  

Guiding Questions:  Can you make another combination? What happens with left over tires, if any?

Consolidation:  Students can share their work with other students using the "Comment" feature on Google Drive.  Students can see how others created different combinations and are encouraged to comment on similarities/differences they observe.  Alternatively, their Google Drawings work can be copied and pasted into a shared Google Slides file where various students can create a collaborative file of all their findings in one place.

Extensions/Modifications:   Students can focus on only finding combinations for 2-wheeled vehicles and 3-wheeled vehicles.
Students can use counters and record their work on chart paper with markers.  Alternatively they can use counters and record their work on clear plastic Cling sheets attached to the wall with dry erase markers.