Math Lesson: Janga Game

Author: Krystina Heien
Date created: 02/06/2018 9:27 PM EST ; Date modified: 02/20/2018 10:10 PM EST

VITAL INFORMATION
Total Number of Students 4 students: 2 boys and 2 girls

Area(s) Students Live In Suburban area with many low-income apartments.

Free/Reduced Lunch 80%

Ethnicity of Students 4 students total: all Hispanic

English Language Learners All 4 students are English Language Learners. Their first language is Spanish.

Students with Special Needs No students in the class have special needs.

Subject(s) Mathematics

Topic or Unit of Study Multiplication: finding the product and missing factor

Grade/Level Grade 3

Comments Math Practice Standards:

5. Use appropriate tools strategically.

7. Look for and make use of structure.

KEY CONCEPTS & STANDARDS
Big Idea & Essential Practice multiplication equations to determine the unknown.
Questions

Learning Outcome(s)
TSW practice solving for the product when given two factors and practice finding the missing factor when given one
factor and the product.
TSW use their knowledge of multiplication to solve for the unknown.
TSW use "helper facts" (if needed) to solve for the unknown.
TSW explain the strategy they used to solve for the unknown.

Summary

Standards CA- California Common Core State Standards (2012)

Subject: Mathematics
Grade: Grade 3
Domain: Operations and Algebraic Thinking 3.OA
Area: Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
Standard:
1. Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each, or 7 groups of 5
objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 × 7.

Standard:
4. Determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation relating three whole numbers. For example, determine the
unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 × ? = 48, 5 = ?? ÷ 3, 6 × 6 = ?.

Comments

ASSESSMENTS
Assessment/Rubrics
TTW listen to students' answers during the game for assessment.
TTW observe students using "helper facts" on the mini white boards to find the unknown.
TTW ask the students to explain what strategies they used when solving for the unknown.

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Comments

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
Instructional Materials
(Handouts, etc.) Janga game
one score paper
pencil
two mini white board
two white board pens

Comments

IMPLEMENTATION
Sequence of Activities
1. TTW pull four students for the activity. These students are in the higher level math group.
2. The game will already be set up, with all the materials on the back table.
3. TTW ask the students if they have ever played Janga.
4. TTW explain to the students they will be playing Janga but while solving for the missing factor or product.
5. TTW review what a factor is and what a product is.
6. TTW write two multiplication equations on the mini white board and ask the students to identify the factors and the
products.
7. TTW show the students two equations on the white board with unknowns and ask them to solve.
8. TTW give the students a score card, a pencil, white board and white board marker.
9. TTW explain how to play the game and use the score board.
10. TTW explain that the students can use the white board and "helper facts" to solve for the unknown (if needed).
11. TTW model one round for the students.
12. TTW check for understanding, by asking the students to hold their thumb up if they understand the game and are
ready to play.
13. TSW play the game.
14. As the students play the game TTW randomly ask a student to explain their thinking or process. The teacher will also
randomly ask them to show their work on the white board.
15. If students are struggling TTW provide "helper facts".
16. TSW play 3 rounds of Janga.
17. Once the students have completed all three rounds TTW ask the students which was more difficult finding the missing
factor or determining the product.
18. TTW dismiss the students and tell them they will be able to play the game again another day.

Grouping Strategies
Whole: TTW explain the game to the students.
Small: TSW help each other on the mini white boards with "helper facts". The students are grouped by their math
levels. These four students are the higher level math group.
Independent: TSW find either the missing factor or product independently before passing the Janga piece to their
partner.

Differentiated Instruction ELL: All the students participating in the game are English Language Learners and are at the intermediate level.

TTW demonstrate and model the game. TTW give the students wait time when finding the unknown. TTW prompt the
students with "helper facts" to support their responses.

Comments

REFLECTIONS
Prior to Lesson
The students have learned multiplication facts 0-10 and continuously practice them at home and in the classroom.
The students have learned the vocabulary terms: product and factor. They can explain both terms and use them
appropriately.
The teacher has introduced finding the unknown in a multiplication equation.
The students have had worksheets practicing both finding the missing factor and determining the product.

Post-Lesson
Comments

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