L4 –Solve Multiplication & Division Problems using Mental Methods

Working Without Worksheets – Year 2 Multiplication & Division: Mental Methods for Multiplication and Division Help your Year 2 pupils move from practical resources to independent thinking with this Working Without Worksheets lesson, where children learn to use mental methods to solve multiplication and division . By practising repeated addition for multiplication and step counting for division, pupils begin to calculate more efficiently while still drawing on their conceptual understanding of equal groups. The lesson begins with a recap starter , including: Showing multiplication as repeated addition Completing division sentences Using inequality symbols to compare number sentences The main teaching introduces mental strategies for multiplication and division: Multiplication is solved by repeated addition, e.g. 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 → 4 × 3 = 12 . Division is explained as asking “How many groups of 3 are in 12?” . Together, the class counts in 3s until they reach 12, then records the completed calculation 12 ÷ 3 = 4 . This process is repeated with different examples to build fluency and understanding. For the main activity , children practise using mental methods to solve multiplication and division problems. They record their thinking in maths books, writing both repeated addition/subtraction and multiplication/division sentences to show the link. The independent task challenges children with a mix of multiplication and division problems. Some encourage them to count in steps (e.g. “How many 5s are in 20?”), while others ask for multiplication as repeated addition. The plenary uses a reasoning question such as: “12 ÷ 4 = 3. How could we use counting to prove this is true?” . Pupils discuss the importance of step counting and checking their work mentally. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with objectives, modelling, and plenary questions ✔ Starter: repeated addition for multiplication, division sentences, inequality comparisons ✔ Vocabulary focus: mu