Lower School - Third Grade Mathematics

Third Grade Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the following content strands, skills, and concepts:

Numeration – Counting patterns; place value; reading and writing whole numbers through 1,000,000; fractions; decimals, and integers.

Operations and Computation – Multiplication and division facts extended to multi-digit problems; working with properties; operations with fractions and money.

Data and Chance – Collecting, organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts and graphs; exploring concepts of chance.

Geometry – Exploring 2- and 3-dimensional shapes and other geometric concepts.

Measurement and Reference Frames – Recording equivalent units of length; recognizing appropriate units of measure for various items; finding the areas of rectangles; using multiplication arrays; coordinate grids, thermometers, and scale maps to estimate distance.

Patterns, Functions, and Algebra – Finding patterns on the number grid; solving Frames-and-Arrows puzzles having two rules; completing variations of “What’s My Rule?” activities; exploring the relationship between multiplication and division; using parentheses in writing number models; naming missing parts of number models.

Within these content strands, skills, and concepts, Everyday Math emphasizes:

• A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations that develops critical thinking.

• Frequent practice of basic skills through ongoing program routines and mathematical games.

• An instructional approach that revisits topics regularly to ensure full concept development.

• Activities that explore a wide variety of mathematical content and offer opportunities for students to apply their basic fact skills to geometry, measurement, and algebra.

Leadership in Mathematics

Self awareness – Students demonstrate and explain their own problem solving methods and set individual math goals.

Academics – Students are required to explain their problem solving methods through both oral and written expression.

Coaching (mentoring) – Students often play math games in groups or with a partner. This opportunity allows for stronger students to instruct other players who may not be as strong. It also encourages students to play fairly and by the rules of the games.

Reading – Each unit begins with a literature selection which encourages students to make mathematical connections. (Examples: How Big is a Foot? and Counting on Frank). These associations are not only to the academic piece of Math, but more importantly to the role of math in our everyday world.

Adversity/Challenges/Opportunities – Students are required to solve daily math messages, and challenges, as well as end-of-unit assessments.

Leadership Observation – Students are observed playing fairly and respectfully during games. They also practice their public speaking skills through sharing ideas and solving problems in front of their peers.

Experience Leadership/Community Service – tudents gather information from their peers and families in order to graph information. They practice recycling and conservation of energy to reduce materials and electricity costs. They also visit the Maryland Science Center to learn and observe the correlation between Math and Science as well as the roles they both play in our society.