Third grade is a great time to introduce your kids to the world of math. It’s a transitional year for students to learn more complex concepts like addition, subtraction and multiplication.
How to Teach Your Kids 3rd Grade Math
It’s also a good time to review essential vocabulary. This will set the foundation for the rest of their third grade math learning.
Addition
Addition is a process of combining numbers together to reach a sum. It’s an essential skill that students learn in third grade to prepare them for higher-level math problems such as multiplication and division.
Students learn addition strategies and rules that make solving problems easier. They also begin to use number signs and place value to solve more complex math problems in 3rd grade.
In addition, they start learning about the commutative property of addition. This property means that the addition sum stays the same no matter which order you add the addends.
One way to introduce the commutative property in 3rd grade is by having your students play a dice game called Roll It, Add It, Flip It. This is a really fun activity to practice the commutative property with students.
To play the game, you have your students roll a dice to create an addition problem. Once they have their answer, they must show the commutative property by flip flopping their addends and adding them to their original equation to see if their sum is the same.
You can use this strategy for any addition problem, but it’s especially effective when adding multiple digits. By using the commutative property, students are able to get the right answer much faster.
Another great addition strategy is to add with regrouping. This is a common method of adding two and three-digit numbers that arranges the sums vertically, like a column method.
Regrouping is important to understand in addition because it helps students to remember the place values of each number. It can also help students to know when it’s safe to move a number into a tens place and when to carry a number over to the ones place.
Having a strong understanding of place value and regrouping is crucial for students to learn the standard algorithm, which is used when they need to add and subtract larger multi-digit numbers. However, it’s important to remind students that this strategy isn’t the only way they can use their digits when solving math problems.
This is why it’s so important to introduce the associative property of addition in 3rd grade. It’s the first time that students will be exposed to using parentheses and it’s a great opportunity to teach them this important math property.
Third Grade Math – Subtraction
Subtraction is a basic math operation that involves taking away from a group or a number of things. It is denoted by the subtraction symbol (-) and is a primary arithmetic operation.
In third grade, students use subtraction to solve problems in which they are given a number and need to find the difference between the number and another number. These problems can be simple or complex, and they are an excellent way for students to practice their skills and build confidence.
When teaching subtraction, it is important for kids to visualize numbers and manipulate them mentally. This helps them understand the process and apply it to real-world situations.
One strategy is to give your child a series of pictures and objects that they can visualize and then talk about how they can subtract these objects. It also encourages them to think about how they can take things apart and use parts of them to create different things.
For example, if your child is working on 12 – 4, tell them to imagine that they have 12 counters organized on a ten-frame in their minds. This is a very concrete way to visualize the number and allow them to think of a specific strategy that they can use to subtract 4 from 12.
They can draw a line, separate it with 20 equal segments, and then count backward from each segment to find the difference. This is a great way to teach children how to subtract and develop their ability to work with large numbers in their heads.
In addition to visualizing numbers, teaching students the strategy of using a standard algorithm to subtract is important for efficiency and accuracy. However, this strategy only works when students understand place value and regrouping concepts, which is something that many students don’t have at this age.
With this in mind, I created a 3-week 3rd grade Guided Math unit that incorporates a variety of strategies to teach students how to add and subtract two-digit numbers accurately. The unit provides fully scaffolded explanations and examples, non-examples to provide opportunities for internalizing the process, and multiple methods to practice each strategy. The lessons also focus on word problems, including multi-step, multi-digit and mixed operations. This unit also includes printable and digital versions of all the lesson components, so you can adjust the materials to best fit your students’ needs.
3 Grade Math – Multiplication
When it comes to math, there are so many different ways to learn and understand. It’s important to use a variety of methods and materials to keep your child interested in learning.
Third graders will start to learn about multiplication and division. This is an important skill because it allows them to solve multi-step problems more easily.
The first thing students need to understand is that multiplication is a shortcut for adding. For example, when counting chopsticks, it would be much faster to multiply than to count them one by one.
You can teach this concept by putting a bunch of chopsticks on the table and showing them how to divide them into groups of two. This can also help your students understand the concept of dividing by 2.
Once students are comfortable with this idea, you can introduce them to the symbols x and * for multiplication. This can be a great way to start learning the properties of multiplication, such as commutative and identity properties.
Another good way to learn about multiplication is to make arrays. This can be as simple as a dot array, or you can make them more complex by using squares and rectangles.
This is a great way to practice the facts and make them memorable! You can also use Jenga blocks to practice these facts!
When teaching multiplication, it is important to make the concepts come to life. You can use things like pool noodles, or you can even turn your kids’ toys into manipulatives!
These games are sure to get your students interested in math. They are fun and engaging, and they will remember the multiplication facts for a long time!
The best part is that they can play these games with you at home or in the classroom. They are easy to set up and will get your kids excited about learning!
Your third-grader will be learning about multiplication and division this year, so find opportunities to highlight the skills they are learning. Try a quick math game during your car trip, ask your third-grader a simple multiplication problem while you cook or bake, or enlist her help when she’s doubling a recipe. By using these opportunities to reinforce their learning, you’ll be ensuring that your third-grader will have a solid foundation when they get into the next grade!
Math For 3rd Graders Online – Division
As third graders gain an understanding of addition and subtraction, they begin to understand how multiplication and division work. This is a crucial skill for them to learn because it can help them with all kinds of math problems down the road.
Introduce division by allowing your child to practice the operation using objects that they can manipulate. This can be anything from small toys or candy to blocks or beads. You can also use a measuring tape to measure and calculate the area of different objects.
In addition to learning how to solve division problems, your child must also be able to understand what it means when the number they are dividing is divided into equal groups. This is called “partitive division.”
Having students use word problems to see how they can apply their multiplication and division skills will help them make the connection between the two operations. Have them write division word problems, such as 12 / 4= 3.
Next, ask them to write an equation to find the total number of equal groups that are in the solution. You may want to have them use a calculator to help them with this step.
Another great way to teach division is to have your child build an array with various quantities. This can be a simple array of items, such as 36 brownies arranged in rows of 4.
Once students have built the array, ask them to solve the problem by writing the division equation (equal groups x divisor). You may need to repeat this process with some students multiple times to make sure they understand the concept.
When they are finished with the array, have them write the multiplication equation for it as well. This is called “quotative division.”
Another important strategy is to provide your third grader with opportunities to work with measurement division problems. This helps them to understand how to use fractions in real-world situations and is one of the most effective ways to teach this topic.
