Third graders have individually-tailored DreamBox math assignments waiting for them!  Check them out here.

Third grade is a big year for math milestones.  It introduces multiplication and division, more complex fractional reasoning, and requires efficient three-digit addition and subtraction strategies. 

 

After November, start practicing multiplication facts with your student(s) at home.  The 0-5 times tables are a great place to start, and can be reviewed in the car, the supermarket, or during any down time.  For the x3 tables, third graders work on memorizing the multiples (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36) and can use their fingers to find the product. (Example:  Holding up 6 fingers and counting by three's for 6x3.)  For the x4 tables, they only need to double the product of a x2 problem (if 2x7=14, 4x7 is just one more 'set' of 2x7, so it must be 28). 

 

After February, the 6-12 times tables can be added to your practice routines.  Counting by multiples is still an acceptable strategy, but many combinations will already be known.  If you've memorized 8x5 (eight groups of five), 5x8 (five groups of eight) is a cinch =). Hooray for the commutative property of multiplication!

 

I'm not a huge proponent of timed 'mad minutes' in class, I feel they create an environment of stress and competition that most kids don't thrive in.  While we will practice multiplication facts through the twelve tables in class, some of the responsibility will fall to you, at home.  If you need flashcards, worksheets, or games, just email me.

 

 

Here is the tentative sequence for math units covered in third grade, by quarter.  Keep in mind, they may shift throughout the year.

 

 

Quarter One

  • Abridged/Supplemented Investigations Unit 1 (Place Value)
  • Investigations Unit 3 (Addition and Subtraction)

 

Quarter Two

  • Supplemented Investigations Unit 5 (Multiplication/Division)
  • Investigations Unit 2 (Data)

 

Quarter Three

  • Abridged Investigations Unit 6 (Pattern/Functions/Change)
  • Investigations Unit 7 (Fractions)
  • Investigations Unit 8 (Addition and Subtraction)

 

Quarter Four

  • Finish Investigations Unit 8 (Addition and Subtraction)
  • Investigations Unit 4 (Geometry)