In the previous unit, students found the product of a whole number and a fraction or mixed number, using tape diagrams and area diagrams. In this unit, students find the product of two fractions. The goal of this lesson is for students to investigate fractions of fractional quantities in context. The focus is on interpreting representations in terms of the context (MP2). In later lessons, students will see that the diagrams can be represented by multiplication or division expressions.

In the first activity, students draw and explain their own representation of a situation involving macaroni and cheese. Students’ representations may differ so the discussion focuses on how their diagrams represent the situation. The second activity focuses on area diagrams. This lesson prepares students to relate diagrams to expressions in the next lesson.

Which students had opportunities to share their diagrams and thinking during whole-class discussion? How did you select these students?