A 4-day intensive STAAR math review focused on multiplication and division standards for 4th grade. The unit uses a 'Math Mission' theme to engage students while covering complex multi-step problems and standard algorithms.
The quotient 34 is aligned by place value: 3 is above the 7 (tens) | 4 is above the 3 (ones)
Add 1
"Everyone must fit." (e.g., vans, boats)
Drop It
"Only full groups count." (e.g., boxes)
Use It
"Question asks for leftovers."
Logic Think-Aloud
"I have 3 left over. In math, it's just a number. In our mission, it's a choice. If these are agents needing a ride, do we leave them in the danger zone? No! We need 35 boats, not 34."
Algorithm Steps (DMSB)
Divide: How many 5s fit into 17? (3)
Multiply: \(3 \times 5 = 15\)
Subtract: \(17 - 15 = 2\)
Bring: Bring down the 3. Repeat!
DAY 3
RDW: Multi-Step Sentence Recon
Visual 4: Step-by-Step RDW Drawing
1
Sent 1: "12 cases of bars..."
...
(12 boxes)
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
The quotient 34 is aligned by place value: 3 is above the 7 (tens) | 4 is above the 3 (ones)
Add 1
"Everyone must fit." (e.g., vans, boats)
Drop It
"Only full groups count." (e.g., boxes)
Use It
"Question asks for leftovers."
Logic Think-Aloud
"I have 3 left over. In math, it's just a number. In our mission, it's a choice. If these are agents needing a ride, do we leave them in the danger zone? No! We need 35 boats, not 34."
Algorithm Steps (DMSB)
Divide: How many 5s fit into 17? (3)
Multiply: \(3 \times 5 = 15\)
Subtract: \(17 - 15 = 2\)
Bring: Bring down the 3. Repeat!
DAY 3
RDW: Multi-Step Sentence Recon
Visual 4: Step-by-Step RDW Drawing
1
Sent 1: "12 cases of bars..."
...
(12 boxes)
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
(12 boxes)
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
...
(12 boxes)
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
...
(12 boxes)
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
2
Sent 2: "Each case has 24..."
24
12 groups × 24
3
Sent 3: "Shared by 8 agents..."
288 TOTAL
... (8 total)
Divide by 8
The RDW Recon Rule
"Multi-step problems are just three mini-problems wearing a trench coat. If we stop at every period and draw what we see, the code cracks itself."
Non-Math Specialist Tip:
Physically hold up a finger for each "stop" point in the word problem. "Sentence 1. Stop. Draw it. Sentence 2. Stop. Update your drawing." This keeps the pace slow and deliberate.
DAY 4
Final Recon: Operation Choice
The Magnitude Check
Bigger
Multiplication
"Building Groups"
Smaller
Division
"Sharing Items"
"Agents, use common sense! If I have 450 gadgets and I put them into 9 boxes, is it possible for one box to have 4,000 gadgets? No! If our choice doesn't make sense, the operation is wrong."
STAAR STRATEGY: Magnitude checking eliminates at least 2 distractors on every multi-step multiplication/division problem.
Part 2: The "We Do" Guided Practice (8-10 Mins)
Focus: Collaborative Mapping
Instructional Flow:
"Problem: A base has 125 artifacts in each of its 4 storage hangars. How many artifacts are there total?"
Area Model Together: "Draw the box. Split 125 into 100, 20, and 5. Multiply each by 4." (400, 80, 20 = 500).
Verify with Algorithm: "Line up \(125 \times 4\). Let's see if the 'chunks' in our algorithm match the 'boxes' in our area model!"
The Inverse Flip: "If we had 500 artifacts and 4 hangars, our area model would show us exactly 125 in each. 4.4E and 4.4B are mission partners!"
Part 3: The "You Do" Independent Mission (12 Mins)
Focus: Independent Mastery
Distribute "Area Model Inverse Worksheet." Students solve missions using both models to ensure 100% verification accuracy.
Teacher Checklist: Check that students are carrying digits correctly in the algorithm.
Mission Success: Students can explain how a row in the area model matches a row in the algorithm.
END OF DAY 1 MISSION BRIEF
Scenario B (Supplies): "If I'm buying $5 packs with $173, can I buy a 35th pack with only $3? No. I can only buy 34."
Scenario C (Leftovers): "If the mission asks, 'How many agents will NOT fit on a full boat?' The answer is 3."
Part 2: The "We Do" Guided Practice (8-10 Mins)
Instructional Flow:
"Problem: A base has 1,245 gadget packs. They pack them into boxes of 8. How many full boxes can they pack?"
Solve Together: Work \(1,245 \div 8\) on the board using the standard algorithm (155 R5).
The Logic Trap: "The question says full boxes. Ask your partner: Does a box with only 5 count as full?"
Result: "Answer is 155. We dropped the remainder. Why? Because the mission requires full boxes only."
Part 3: The "You Do" Independent Mission (12 Mins)
Focus: Independent Logic
Distribute "Day 2 Worksheet." Agents solve missions and identify the remainder logic for each.
Part 3: The "You Do" Independent Mission (12 Mins)
Distribute "Multi-Step Worksheet." Students must use the RDW strategy.
