Get your kids buzzing about multiplication with Number Hive!
Number Hive is more than just a game. It’s an effective tool to help younger students learn the foundations of multiplication (and division). Once they’ve mastered the basics, it becomes an engaging way to build fluency and understanding.
Want to give it a try? Here are some lesson plans that will make learning multiplication fun and meaningful. Aligned with local standards (scroll down for more regions), these lesson plans lead to deeper understanding, higher retention, and best of all, it’s kid-approved! So let’s get those little minds buzzing with excitement!
USA – Common Core
| Lesson | Goals | Common Core Standards |
| 1-3 | Lessons 1-3: Introduction to Multiplication – Introduce the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. Use visual aids, such as arrays or counters, to demonstrate the concept. – Have students practise solving simple multiplication problems using visual aids. – Have students explore the Times Table chart here looking for patterns. | CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.1 |
| 4-6 | Lessons 4-6: Basic Multiplication Facts – Review the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.Introduce basic multiplication facts (e.g., 0-5 times tables). – Have students practise solving basic multiplication problems. – Students explore the printout of the Number Hive game board. – They identify and color in multiples of certain numbers. For example, multiples of 5 might be blue. | CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.2 |
| 7-9 | Lessons 7-9: Strategies for Solving Multiplication Problems – Introduce various strategies for solving multiplication problems, such as the commutative property, skip counting, and using multiplication facts to solve division problems. – Have students practise using these strategies to solve multiplication problems using Number Hive. Select Practice mode and play against the Bot on easy, progressing as they feel confident. Students may consult their multiplication chart as they play but they are encouraged to use skip counting strategies. | CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.B.5 |
| 10-12 | Lessons 10-12: Advanced Multiplication Facts – Introduce advanced multiplication facts (e.g., 6-9 times tables). – Have students practise solving advanced multiplication problems using Number Hive. They progress through the levels on practice mode. – Students may now begin to play classmates using the host game. | CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.2 |
| 13-15 | Lessons 13-15: Review and Assessment – Review all multiplication concepts and facts learned in the previous lessons. – Students play Number Hive in whatever mode they please. – Hold a Number Hive class tournament using the guidelines and poster here. – Students to fill out self-assessment found here. – Provide additional support and instruction as needed. | CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.2, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.B.5 |
UK
| Lesson | Goal | Standards |
| 1-3 | Lessons 1-3: Introduction to Multiplication – Introduce the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. Use visual aids, such as arrays or counters, to demonstrate the concept. – Have students practise solving simple multiplication problems using visual aids. – Have students explore the Times Table chart here looking for patterns. | Year 3: Use the multiplication tables they know to derive division facts (2.6) |
| 4-6 | Lessons 4-6: Basic Multiplication Facts – Review the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.Introduce basic multiplication facts (e.g., 0-5 times tables). – Have students practise solving basic multiplication problems. – Students explore the printout of the Number Hive game board. – They identify and colour in multiples of certain numbers. For example, multiples of 5 might be blue. | Year 3: Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 3, 4, and 8 multiplication tables (2.5) |
| 7-9 | Lessons 7-9: Strategies for Solving Multiplication Problems – Introduce various strategies for solving multiplication problems, such as the commutative property, skip counting, and using multiplication facts to solve division problems. – Have students practise using these strategies to solve multiplication problems using Number Hive. Select Practice mode and play against the Bot on easy, progressing as they feel confident. Students may consult their multiplication chart as they play but they are encouraged to use skip counting strategies. | Year 3: Identify and describe the properties of prime, square, and composite numbers (2.7) |
| 10-12 | Lessons 10-12: Advanced Multiplication Facts – Introduce advanced multiplication facts (e.g., 6-9 times tables). – Have students practise solving advanced multiplication problems using Number Hive. They progress through the levels on practice mode. – Students may now begin to play classmates using the host game. | Year 4: Recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 12 × 12 (2.5) |
| 13-15 | Lessons 13-15: Review and Assessment – Review all multiplication concepts and facts learned in the previous lessons. – Students play Number Hive in whatever mode they please. – Hold a Number Hive class tournament using the guidelines and poster here. – Students to fill out self-assessment found here. – Provide additional support and instruction as needed. | Year 4: Use place value, known and derived facts to multiply and divide mentally, including: multiplying by 0 and 1; dividing by 1; multiplying together three or four numbers (2.6) |
Australian Curriculum
| Lesson | Goal | Standards |
| 1-3 | Lessons 1-3: Introduction to Multiplication – Introduce the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. Use visual aids, such as arrays or counters, to demonstrate the concept. – Have students practise solving simple multiplication problems using visual aids. – Have students explore the Times Table chart here looking for patterns. | Year 3: Use concrete objects, pictures and arrays to represent multiplication and division situations (ACMNA041) |
| 4-6 | Lessons 4-6: Basic Multiplication Facts – Review the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.Introduce basic multiplication facts (e.g., 0-5 times tables). – Have students practise solving basic multiplication problems. – Students explore the printout of the Number Hive game board. – They identify and colour in multiples of certain numbers. For example, multiples of 5 might be blue. | Year 3: Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables (ACMNA042) |
| 7-9 | Lessons 7-9: Strategies for Solving Multiplication Problems – Introduce various strategies for solving multiplication problems, such as the commutative property, skip counting, and using multiplication facts to solve division problems. – Have students practise using these strategies to solve multiplication problems using Number Hive. Select Practice mode and play against the Bot on easy, progressing as they feel confident. Students may consult their multiplication chart as they play but they are encouraged to use skip counting strategies. | Year 3: Recognise and describe common factors, common multiples and prime numbers (ACMNA043) |
| 10-12 | Lessons 10-12: Advanced Multiplication Facts – Introduce advanced multiplication facts (e.g., 6-9 times tables). – Have students practise solving advanced multiplication problems using Number Hive. They progress through the levels on practice mode. – Students may now begin to play classmates using the host game. | Year 4: Recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 10 × 10 (ACMNA048) |
| 13-15 | Lessons 13-15: Review and Assessment – Review all multiplication concepts and facts learned in the previous lessons. – Students play Number Hive in whatever mode they please. – Hold a Number Hive class tournament using the guidelines and poster here. – Students to fill out self-assessment found here. – Provide additional support and instruction as needed. | Year 4: Use place value, known and derived facts to multiply and divide mentally, including: multiplying by 0 and 1; dividing by 1; multiplying together three or four numbers (ACMNA049) |
NSW Curriculum
| Lesson | Goal | Standards |
| 1-3 | Lessons 1-3: Introduction to Multiplication – Introduce the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. Use visual aids, such as arrays or counters, to demonstrate the concept. – Have students practise solving simple multiplication problems using visual aids. – Have students explore the Times Table chart here looking for patterns. | Stage 2: Use concrete objects, pictures and arrays to represent multiplication and division situations (MA2-1NA) |
| 4-6 | Lessons 4-6: Basic Multiplication Facts – Review the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.Introduce basic multiplication facts (e.g., 0-5 times tables). – Have students practise solving basic multiplication problems. – Students explore the printout of the Number Hive game board. – They identify and colour in multiples of certain numbers. For example, multiples of 5 might be blue. | Stage 2: Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables (MA2-2NA) |
| 7-9 | Lessons 7-9: Strategies for Solving Multiplication Problems – Introduce various strategies for solving multiplication problems, such as the commutative property, skip counting, and using multiplication facts to solve division problems. – Have students practise using these strategies to solve multiplication problems using Number Hive. Select Practice mode and play against the Bot on easy, progressing as they feel confident. Students may consult their multiplication chart as they play but they are encouraged to use skip counting strategies. | Stage 2: Recognise and describe common factors, common multiples and prime numbers (MA2-3NA) |
| 10-12 | Lessons 10-12: Advanced Multiplication Facts – Introduce advanced multiplication facts (e.g., 6-9 times tables). – Have students practise solving advanced multiplication problems using Number Hive. They progress through the levels on practice mode. – Students may now begin to play classmates using the host game. | Stage 3: Recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 10 × 10 (MA3-2NA) |
| 13-15 | Lessons 13-15: Review and Assessment – Review all multiplication concepts and facts learned in the previous lessons. – Students play Number Hive in whatever mode they please. – Hold a Number Hive class tournament using the guidelines and poster here. – Students to fill out self-assessment found here. – Provide additional support and instruction as needed. | Stage 3: Use place value, known and derived facts to multiply and divide mentally, including: multiplying by 0 and 1; dividing by 1; multiplying together three or four numbers (MA3-3NA) |
Victorian Curriculum
| Lesson | Goal | Standards |
| 1-3 | Lessons 1-3: Introduction to Multiplication – Introduce the concept of multiplication as repeated addition. Use visual aids, such as arrays or counters, to demonstrate the concept. – Have students practise solving simple multiplication problems using visual aids. – Have students explore the Times Table chart here looking for patterns. | Foundation: Use concrete objects, pictures and arrays to represent multiplication and division situations (VMAES1.4) |
| 4-6 | Lessons 4-6: Basic Multiplication Facts – Review the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.Introduce basic multiplication facts (e.g., 0-5 times tables). – Have students practise solving basic multiplication problems. – Students explore the printout of the Number Hive game board. – They identify and colour in multiples of certain numbers. For example, multiples of 5 might be blue. | Foundation: Recall and use multiplication and division facts for the 2, 5 and 10 multiplication tables (VMAES1.5) |
| 7-9 | Lessons 7-9: Strategies for Solving Multiplication Problems – Introduce various strategies for solving multiplication problems, such as the commutative property, skip counting, and using multiplication facts to solve division problems. – Have students practise using these strategies to solve multiplication problems using Number Hive. Select Practice mode and play against the Bot on easy, progressing as they feel confident. Students may consult their multiplication chart as they play but they are encouraged to use skip counting strategies. | Foundation: Recognise and describe common factors, common multiples and prime numbers (VMAES1.6) |
| 10-12 | Lessons 10-12: Advanced Multiplication Facts – Introduce advanced multiplication facts (e.g., 6-9 times tables). – Have students practise solving advanced multiplication problems using Number Hive. They progress through the levels on practice mode. – Students may now begin to play classmates using the host game. | Year 1: Recall multiplication and division facts for multiplication tables up to 10 × 10 (VMAES2.5) |
| 13-15 | Lessons 13-15: Review and Assessment – Review all multiplication concepts and facts learned in the previous lessons. – Students play Number Hive in whatever mode they please. – Hold a Number Hive class tournament using the guidelines and poster here. – Students to fill out self-assessment found here. – Provide additional support and instruction as needed. | Year 1: Use place value, known and derived facts to multiply and divide mentally, including: multiplying by 0 and 1; dividing by 1; multiplying together three or four numbers (VMAES2.6) |
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