During math time, students will participate in whole-group lessons, small group activities, independent work, and math games. We utilize the district math program, Ready Math to guide our lessons, individualize online instruction and for assessments. Some of our assessments will be on-line while others will be on paper.
Our math class is broken into several different sections: whole group instruction, small group instruction, independent practice and math menu time. During menu time, students practice important math skills, build fact fluency, and develop problem solving skills. Math menus are individualized to meet the needs of students and to allow students choice in how to solidify their math skills.
A primary focus of third grade math is gaining automaticity with both addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers. We will also develop an understanding of multiplication. We will utilize many different manipulatives and strategies to develop a deeper understanding of concepts.
Salute a card game to practice addition and/or multiplication facts
Bump To 10 Directions - game for learning facts to 10
Bump to 20 Board - same directions as bump to 10
Trash Can - a place value game
101 and Out - a slightly more advanced place value game
Six Rolls to 100 Directions
Bump Multiplication Games Directions
Bump Nx3 Bump Nx4 Bump Nx5 Bump Nx6 Bump Nx7 Bump Nx8 Bump Nx9
There are many commercial games that help develop skills that are crucial to math learning. Several of these games are listed below. Some of the skills that can be developed by playing the game are also indicated. If you are playing these games with your child, do not feel you need to turn the game into a mathematical lesson, simply playing and discussing the game (your strategies) is enough for child to benefit.
SIMON (sequencing, following multi-step directions, visual and auditory memory)
OTHELLO (pattern recognition, spatial orientation, visual clustering, focus on more than one aspect, variable or concept at a time)
CONNECT FOUR (pattern recognition, spatial orientation, visual clustering, geometrical patterns)
MASTER MIND (sequencing, logical deduction, pattern recognition)
CARD GAMES (visual clustering, pattern recognition, number facts)
STRATEGO (spatial orientation, logical deduction, graphing)
Below are the standards of mathematical practice that we are addressing on a daily basis. These are the practices that will enable our students to be successful in the study of mathematics. These standards are written in kid friendly language.
Standards of Mathematical Practice
1. I can solve problems without giving up and do my best to get it right.
2. I can think about numbers and solve problems in more than one way (equations, pictures, through writing, with objects).
3. I can explain my math thinking and talk about it with others.
4. I see the math in everyday life and I can use math to solve everyday life.
5. I know how to choose and use math tools. I can explain why I used them.
6. I can work carefully and check my work.
7. I can use what I know to solve new problems.
8. I can solve problems by looking for rules and patterns.
3rd Grade Math Units
The links will take you to the family letters describing each unit.
Using Place Value to Round Numbers
Understanding Multiplication and Division
Parents' Beliefs about Mathematics Change Achievement - this is an interesting article about the impact of parents' math anxiety on children.
Howard County Elementary School has wonderful articles and resources for families to help support their child in learning math skills.