The big ideas in grade 3 include: developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100; developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1); developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.
The mathematical work for grade 3 is partitioned into 8 units:
Introducing Multiplication
Area and Multiplication
Wrapping Up Addition and Subtraction within 1,000
Relating Multiplication to Division
Fractions as Numbers
Measuring Length, Time, Liquid Volume, and Weight
Two-dimensional Shapes and Perimeter
Putting it All Together