Third Grade Mathematics Curriculum

Trimester 1

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Numbers and Operation
  • Base Ten System
  • Rounding
  • Estimation
  • Multi-digit addition
  • Multi-digit subtraction
  • Addition and Subtraction Facts
• Problem Solving
  • Four phases
  • Guess and check
  • Draw picture

RESOURCES

Number Power
Math to Know
Problem Solver 3

MATERIALS

• Place value charts
• Place value blocks
• 10’s chart
• 100’s chart
• Dice
• Calculators

CONCEPTS AND CONTENT
IN THE THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM

• Students demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the base ten number system. 
• They will read and write numbers from 1 – 100,000 in numeral and word form.

• Students develop and refine strategies for estimation involving whole numbers.
• Students use estimates to check the reasonableness of results.
• Students demonstrate mastery of multi-digit subtraction.  They demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of addition and subtraction as well as mastery of addition and subtraction facts.

HELP AT HOME
Parents can help their children

• Notice large and small numbers all around in magazines and newspapers and practice reading the numbers (i.e., weather, cost of a new car or home, grocery items, prices of toys, etc.)

• Work with your child in their acquisition of addition and subtraction facts.

• Play number games:  How many four-digit numerals can be made using the digits 2, 3, 5 and 7 without repeating a digit.

• Ask your child to estimate the number of items in your home.  Make a list.  Then count them together.  Examples may include windows, doors, chairs, and shoes.  Then compare estimates with an actual count.

• Ask your child to estimate the cost of the items in your grocery cart.

• Check a grocery receipt to find five items which add up to less than $1.00, $5.00 or $10.00.

• Plan math scavenger hunts and have your child look for lists of specific math related items (i.e. geometric shapes, numbers of items, etc.) in the house or yard.

Trimester 2

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Geometry
• Number and Operation
  • Multiplication
• Measurement
  • Linear
  • Area and Perimeter

RESOURCES 

Exploring Solids and Boxes: 3-D Geometry
Flips, Turns, and Area: 2-D Geometry
Math By All Means: Multiplication Grade 3
From Paces to Feet: Measuring and Data
The Problem Solver 3

MATERIALS

• Elementary rulers
• Building straws
• 100’s chart
• Graph paper
• Centimeter rulers
• Geometric models
• Number cubes
• Pattern blocks
• Interlocking cubes

  CONCEPTS AND CONTENT
IN THE THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM

Students investigate various polygons and geometric solids. They become familiar with the components of these shapes and explore relationships as they sort, build, and make patterns for solids.

Students explore the need for standard measurements, learn to used different measuring tools and systems, and collect and interpret data.

Students learn to analyze situations that call for multiplication.  They perform calculations in a variety of ways and arrive at reasonable numerical decisions they can explain and justify.

HELP AT HOME
Parents can help their children.

• Work with your child in their acquisition of multiplication facts.

• Encourage your child to play games that involve counting, finding patterns, using strategies and solving problems.

• Encourage “messing around” with a calculator to explore numbers, and to look for and investigate number patterns.

• Play games with your child.  Card games provide excellent opportunities for learning math concepts.  For example, Uno, Rummy, and Rack-o, help players group, sort and use strategies.

• Ask your child questions that require simple mental math.  “Eighteen is twice as big as what number?”  “Can you name two numbers whose product is 12 and shoe sum is 7?”

• Plan art activities that use measurement, patterns and geometry.

Trimester 3

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Number and Operation
  • Division
  • Fractions
  • Money

• Measurement: Customary/Metric

  volume
   capacity
  weight
  temperature
  time
   

• Graphing
• Probability
• Problem Solving

    Guess and Check
Draw a Picture
Make an Organized List
Make a graph or chart

RESOURCES

Exploring Solids and Boxes: 3-D Geometry
Family Math
Math By All Means: Division Grades 3-4
The Problem Solver 3

MATERIALS

     Unifix cubes
Graph paper
Various sizes of metric and customary containers
Scales and weights
Celsius and Fahrenheit thermometers
Clocks

CONCEPTS AND CONTENT
IN THE THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM

Students will investigate 2-# geometric patterns that fold to make 3-D shapes.  They design patterns for rectangular boxes and triangular pyramids, and discover how many unit cubes fit in the shapes.  Students are able to find multiple solutions to problems involving measurement.

Students will demonstrate accuracy in using common units of customary and metric systems of measurement.  They will learn to use different measuring tools and systems, and collect and interpret data.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of division:

-Use the divisibility rules of 2,5, and 10

-Through repeated subtraction

-Through rays

Students will demonstrate an understanding of fractions and decimals:
     Identify halves and fourths as part of a whole or collection
     Read and write fractions and mixed numbers using halves and fourths.

Students will demonstrate knowledge of relationships between coins and bills.

 Students will solve and represent a problem and it’s solution by using a variety of resources and methods.

HELP AT HOME
Parents can help their children

    Work with your child in their acquisition of division facts

Let your child help with the shopping by checking and comparing prices, weights, and quantities.  Allow him/her to use a calculator to make these comparisons and keep track of the total cost of your purchases.

Have your child determine how much change you will receive once you’ve paid the clerk.

Draw paper patterns that fold to make different geometric shapes.

Ask your child questions that require simple mental math:

o        Start with 8, add 5, add 12, divide by 5

o        It is now 3:45, what time will it be in two hours?

o        Round 737 to the nearest hundred

o        What fraction of $1.00 is a quarter?

Discuss the need for measurement such as, “Would a couch fit through that door?”

Look at graphs with your child that you find in newspapers or other publications and discuss the information they show.

• People and Animals
• Matter
• Sound
• Pneumatic Unit - conducted by DuPage Children's Museum