Unlock the power of Strip Diagrams to master equal groups Multiplication and Division Word Problems in 3rd grade! Step into a world where choosing between multiplication and division is no longer a puzzle! These strip diagrams turn this tricky choice into a fun, easy decision, making multiplication and division word problems a breeze for every 3rd grade student.

Do your students struggle to decide between multiplication and division?

Many students struggle to decide whether to use multiplication or division to solve word problems. 3rd grade students need to develop a way to think about word problems to truly understand them. Before students pick an operation, they identify the parts of the problem: the total, words that describe the number in each group, and the groups. Students quickly learn how to think about multiplication and division word problems while using these task cards. If they know the total, they will divide. If the total is missing, they will multiply.

What is included in this Equal Groups Multiplication and Division Word Problems resource?

• Task card sized mini-cover and a mini-key to help with organization
• 24 Equal Groups Multiplication and Division Word Problem Task Cards
• 24 Strip Diagrams that match the Word Problems
• Student Recording Sheets (multiple versions)
• Answer Keys
• Color and Black and White versions

Topics Include:

• Equal Groups Multiplication Word Problems
• Equal Groups Division Word Problems
• Strip Diagrams
• All task cards are Single Step Word Problems
• Identify the unknown (total, number of groups, or number in each group) to pick an operation to solve

How Can I Use These Multiplication and Division Word Problems?

Option 1: Have students match the word problem to the correct strip diagram card and then solve.

Option 2: Have students identify the unknown in each problem (total, number of groups or number in each group) on the student recording sheet, find the correct strip diagram and solve the problem.

Extension Idea: Use the included My Own Equal Groups Word Problem page and have students choose one Strip Diagram task card. Students create their own multiplication or division word problem that is represented by their strip diagram card.

Test Prep Idea: Each set of 4 word problem task cards on a page uses similar numbers. Those 4 problems are related to the 4 strip diagrams on the following task cards page. Display one word problem along with the 4 strip diagrams on the following page and have students select the correct strip diagram.

i.e. Display problem #1 with Strip Diagrams A, B, C & D. Display problem #5 with Strip Diagrams E, F, G, & H, and so on.

You may also be interested in these Fun and Engaging Multiplication and Division Resources:

Multiplication and Division Word Problem of the Day

No Prep Multiplication and Division Games