Math Lesson Plans for Elementary School Students

For some teachers, lesson planning is a lot of fun But for others, it’s a task they put at the bottom of their list. 

 If you’re a bit more like the latter, don’t worry! 

We’ve created a free 4th grade math lesson plan example to get you started on the right foot.

A new school year is here!

And that means it’s time to revamp your lesson plans. 

If you’re looking for math lesson plan templates for various elementary grades, you’re in the right place! We’ve created free sample math lesson plans for grade 1 through grade 8. 

Each of the lesson plans for elementary math includes:

• Learning Objectives
• Teaching Strategies
• Materials Needed
• Procedures and Activities
• Grading or Assessment 
• Goals for the End of the Lesson

This article will simply outline the learning objective and instructions for each sample lesson plan. If you want to read more, you can click the link at the bottom of each lesson plan.

Not a math teacher? Check out our free English lesson plans or reading lesson plans instead.

1st Grade Lesson Plan: “More” and “Less”

• Learning Objective: First grade students build their confidence in using the terms "more" and "less" and improve their counting skills.
• Instructions:
• Start with a demonstration on a whiteboard demonstrating how to differentiate groups that have more and less. 
• Move into guided practice where students use manipulatives to create two groups of objects and compare them. Students then identify the group with more or less. 
• Split the class into groups and pass out cards with objects on them. Play a game where students draw cards, create groups and compare their sizes. 
• Pass out worksheets to give your students individual practice. 
• Finally, wrap-up with a whole class review to summarize key points. 

Check out the full lesson plan here.

2nd Grade Lesson Plan: Number Patterns and Skip Counting

Learning Objective: Second grade students will confidently identify and describe number patterns on a hundreds chart and use a calculator to confirm these patterns. They will also understand skip counting and the importance of patterns in math and the real world.

Instructions:

• Start with a discussion about patterns in daily life and introduce number patterns on a hundreds chart.
• Demonstrate skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s using the hundreds chart, highlighting numbers as you count together.
• Show how to use a calculator to skip count by adding numbers repeatedly.
• Distribute a hundreds charts, calculators and pattern cards for guided practice where students find and confirm patterns.
• Group students to discuss and share the patterns they discovered and verified with calculators.
• Have students complete independent practice by finding and confirming new patterns on their own.
• Conclude with a review of the patterns and their importance in math and everyday life.

See the full lesson plan.

3rd Grade Lesson Plan: Borrowing in Subtraction

Learning Objective: Third grade students will confidently and accurately subtract two-digit numbers using borrowing and understand the borrowing process fully.

Instructions:

• Start with a quick review of basic subtraction without borrowing and introduce the concept of borrowing using a simple story.
• Demonstrate a subtraction problem requiring borrowing on the whiteboard, showing each step clearly.
• Move into guided practice with base-ten blocks or place value charts. Solve a few problems together as a class.
• Provide worksheets for individual practice with subtraction problems that require borrowing.
• Pair students up to solve word problems together. Encourage them to discuss each step of the process. 

Head to the full 3rd grade lesson plan.

4th Grade Lesson Plan: Calculating Perimeter, Area, and Volume

Learning Objective: Fourth grade students will measure and calculate the perimeter, area and volume of shapes. They will also be able to apply these concepts to real-life problems.

Instructions:

• Start with a discussion on where shapes and measurements are encountered in daily life. Introduce the concepts of perimeter, area and volume with simple definitions and examples that students will find interesting.
• Then, move into direct instruction on how to find the perimeter of polygons. Next, cover how to calculate the area of squares, rectangles and triangles. Finally, explain how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms.
• Provide guided practice with worksheets. Worksheets should have various shapes and encourage students to measure their sides and calculate perimeters, areas and volumes. Give your help as needed.
• Once your students feel confident with 2D shapes, move on to 3D. Organize a hands-on activity where students measure dimensions and calculate the volume of 3D shapes. Have them work in a small group to discuss and compare their findings.
• Present a real-life scenario such as designing a small park. Encourage students to work in pairs to plan the layout using given measurements. They should also calculate the perimeter for fencing, area for grass and volume for a sandbox.

See the full 4th grade math lesson plan.

5th Grade Lesson Plan: Mental Multiplication

Learning Objective: 5th grade students will accurately multiply two-digit numbers by single-digit numbers mentally by using the distributive property.

Instructions:

• Start with a quick mental math warm-up. Ask your students to solve simple multiplication problems mentally and write their answers on a warm-up sheet. 
• Explain the importance of mental multiplication. Encourage students to name where they may use it in real life. Introduce the concept of breaking numbers into smaller parts for easier multiplication.
• Demonstrate the distributive property by breaking down a larger multiplication problem step by step. Work through several examples as a class.
• Divide students into small groups for guided practice. Provide sets of multiplication problems and manipulatives like number blocks.
• Hand out worksheets for independent practice. Ask students to solve problems using the distributive property and write a brief explanation of the answers in their math journals.

Check out the entire lesson plan template.

6th Grade Lesson Plan: All About Quadrilaterals

Learning Objective: Sixth grade students will identify, describe, classify, compare and create quadrilaterals based on their properties.

Instructions:

• Begin with a review of polygons and introduce quadrilaterals. List and describe the types of quadrilaterals.
• Provide instruction on the properties of each quadrilateral. Make sure to highlight the similarities and differences between the various types.
• Engage students in a discussion that compares and contrasts quadrilaterals, recording responses to create a comparison chart.
• Move into a hands-on activity where students use graph paper and tools to draw their own quadrilateral with specific properties and share their work.
• Integrate technology by allowing students to explore quadrilaterals using an online geometry tool or play an interactive math game.

Use the free sample lesson plan now.

7th Grade Lesson Plan: Angle Hunt and Classroom Design

Learning Objective: Seventh grade students will practice measuring angles, calculating area and finding the volume of various shapes. They will gain the ability to apply geometric principles to solve real-world problems.

Instructions:

• Begin with a brief review of angles, area and volume. Explain their real-world applications in situations that middle school and junior high school students might encounter. 
• Provide a lesson on how to measure an angle using a protractor. Then, discuss the formulas for finding area and volume. Work various problems on the board showing how to use these formulas. 
• Conduct an "Angle Hunt" where students measure and classify angles found in the classroom.
• Assign an area calculation activity using graph paper where students draw shapes, measure dimensions and compute the area.
• Lead an exploration activity about volume where students measure dimensions and calculate volume. To make it more challenging, focus on irregular shapes.
• Bring all of these skills together by presenting a real-world application project. Students will design a new classroom layout. Let them calculate the area and volume needed for the furniture you have in your classroom.

See the full free lesson plan.

8th Grade Lesson Plan: Understanding Sampling Techniques

Learning Objective: Eighth grade students will understand and differentiate between random sampling, stratified sampling, systematic sampling and cluster sampling. They will also identify the best method for specific situations.

Instructions:

• Discuss the importance of sampling in statistics using a real-world scenario (e.g., a survey on middle school students’ lunch preferences).
• Define each sampling technique (random, stratified, systematic and cluster sampling) using slides to show definitions, advantages, disadvantages and real-life examples that junior high students find interesting.
• Divide the class into small groups, each assigned with a different sampling scenario. Provide materials for creating mini-populations. Groups will select and justify the appropriate sampling technique for their scenario and present their findings.
• Distribute worksheets with various scenarios for students to identify and justify the appropriate sampling technique. You can have them work individually or in pairs.

Get this sample 8th grade math lesson plan.