Third Grade Math Update

Third graders are two thirds of the way through the year and continuing their math exploration. 

Fraction tiles are invaluable when it comes to making quick comparisons or finding equivalent fractions.

The both classrooms recently finished up an extensive unit on fractions. Students learned to see fractions as a way to divide up a “whole.” This led to some interesting realizations. Students were curious to learn how improper fractions could represent numbers that were more than one whole part. 

Students also came to understand that fractions with larger denominators actually represent smaller amounts. By the end of the unit classes were comparing fractions and learning to find equivalent ones. Having this background knowledge will help students in the years to come as they add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.

A few of the addition strategies that students learn to use.

This year’s penultimate unit returns students to the study of 3-digit addition and subtraction. Previous investigations introduced students to strategies to add and subtract numbers up to 1000. This unit will help support some of the skills students have already learned and help develop number sense beyond 1000. 

The KONS strategy is often a student favorite.

At this point some students are beginning to use the traditional algorithm but many are still finding success with other strategies. This is perfectly fine for third grade students. In fact in many instances it can be quicker or more efficient to use another strategy (for instance subtracting 435 from 1000 requires lots of carrying over from place values. Using something like a number line may be the best way to go about solving this problem).

KONS can also be used for subtraction.

Number lines help lay the understanding of place value.

We are excited to begin winding down the year with these incredible math students.