Minds On
Fundraising for the Terry Fox Run
Imagine that a local community center starts a fundraising project to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. 35 people sign up to help! Each person will try to fundraise $25. Brainstorm how you might calculate the fundraising goal that the community center has set.
In this learning activity, you will learn about multiplying two-digit whole numbers by two-digit whole numbers using the area model and using algorithms. You will also make connections between the two methods, and solve problems that require more than one operation with whole numbers and decimal numbers. Be sure to check your calculations!

Action
Using a matrix for 2-digit multiplication
Explore this TVO Homework Zone video “Using a matrix for 2-digit multiplication” to learn about multiplying 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers.
- Chapters
- descriptions off, selected
- captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
- captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Press ‘Final step’ to access the answer to Teacher Sarah’s question.
200
100
50
+ 25
375
After using the matrix strategy, we know that 15 × 25 = 375.
Test Your Skills
Figuring out the fundraising goal
Try to use a matrix strategy to figure out the fundraising goal for 35 people at the community center raising $25 each for the Terry Fox Foundation.
The following image displays a matrix for the fundraising goal.
What if each person raised more than their original goal of $25 to now fundraise $63 each?
Write a math sentence to describe this new situation. Calculate the answer using the matrix strategy.
Local fundraiser
Students at the community center programs were inspired and also wanted to participate in the Terry Fox Foundation fundraising project. They volunteered to join in!
- There were 29 grade 1 volunteers. Each raised $23.
- There were 27 grade 2 volunteers. Each raised $42.
- There were 23 grade 3 volunteers. Each raised $19.
- There were 26 grade 4 volunteers. Each raised $21.
- There were 35 grade 5 volunteers. Each raised $75.
We can also show this data in a table:
Grade | Number of Volunteers | Amount raised by each Volunteer | Total Amount Raised by Grade |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 29 | $23 | |
2 | 27 | $42 | |
3 | 23 | $19 | |
4 | 26 | $21 | |
5 | 35 | $75 |
Try It
Try it
Consider the following questions. Record your thinking in print, digitally, or with an audio recording.
- How much fundraising money was raised by each grade of volunteers?
- How much fundraising money was raised in total?
Splitting the donation
The community center has decided to split the total that was fundraised between two different Terry Fox Foundation initiatives.
They donate $2,500 from the total to the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope.
How much remains for them to donate to the Terry Fox Research Institute?
Record your thinking in print, digitally or with an audio recording.
Consolidation
Community clean-up
After the fundraiser is over, the community center wants to participate in a community clean-up to help collect litter. The litter has been blowing into wildlife activities and their habitats. Students from the community center programs decide to help out!

Each student collects a certain number of wrappers (ex. chips, candy, popsicle) and a certain number of plastics (ex. water bottles, plastic lids, plastic cutlery, plastic cups).
Litter collection
Grade | Number of Students | Wrappers collected by each student | Plastics collected by 1 student |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 29 | 10 | 15 |
2 | 27 | 13 | 22 |
3 | 23 | 15 | 34 |
4 | 26 | 22 | 43 |
5 | 35 | 9 | 50 |
Explore the following problems. Solve and express your answer using a math sentence.
- Calculate the total number of wrappers collected by each grade.
- Calculate the total number of wrappers collected.
- Calculate the total number of plastics collected by each grade.
- Calculate the total number of plastics collected.
- Calculate the total number of wrappers and plastics collected.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Many schools participate in a community clean-up day once each year.
Do you think this is enough?
How often do you think that schools should participate in community day clean-ups?
Record your response using a method of your choice.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Learning goals
We are learning to…
- represent and solve problems involving the multiplication of two-digit whole numbers by two-digit whole numbers using the area model and using algorithms, and make connections between the two methods
- recall and demonstrate multiplication facts from 0 × 0 to 12 × 12, and related division facts
Success criteria
I am able to…
- solve problems involving whole numbers, including those requiring more than one operation
- use the area or array model to multiply 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
- solve problems by adding and subtracting whole numbers that add up to no more than 100,000