3rd Grade

 

Third Grade Educational Milestone

(Ages 8 to 9)

Source: Great Schools/Corestandards

3rd Grade Math

 3rd Grade Math

Math Main Topics: Multiplication, Division, and Beginning Fractions, Measurements, Easy Geometry


Your 3rd graders will begin to learn the concept of multiplication and division and can apply it even in real-life questions. Division means breaking numbers into separate equal groups. At this point, they may have learned about all four different math operations. They should be able to apply it to solve word problems. By the end of grade 3, its a requirement that they know all single-digit products and quotient by memory. For example, they should know the answer to “3X3=9” or “6/2=3” by memory.  It is also a required skill to be able to add and subtract any number that is between 1 to 1000. Within the year, they will be introduced to fractions such as ½ and ¾. Here, they’ll be dividing a whole into equal parts. They should also be expanding their knowledge of measurements. They will know time intervals, volumes, masses. They’ll also start to learn simple geometry concepts such as how to find the area of a shape. More advanced classes may teach perimeter also. 

 Math Goals: 

  • Multiply and Divide within 100

  • Solve problems with all four operations( Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)

  • Understand fractions

  • Measurements and time

  • Geometry

3rd Grade

Reading

3rd Grade Reading

Reading Main Topic: Comprehension, Cause and Effect, Language, POV


Books are getting harder to read, but kids will slowly adapt to more challenging material. 3rd graders should have smooth reading, can read with expression, and at a speed that doesn’t get in the way of their understanding. Kids will develop their unique reading style. That is fine. Your kids will begin to start answering and asking questions based on what they read. When they read, they should be able to describe characters in a story and explain how their actions result in what happens in the story. By knowing this, they begin to understand the concept of Cause and Effect. The cause made the effect happen. They can also read and interpret literally but also find their nonliteral meaning of words. Literal meaning means the actual meaning of a word or sentence. The nonliteral meaning will be more creative and exaggerated. For example, the literal meaning of a sentence would be, “This was easy.” The nonliteral meaning of the same phrase would be, “That was a piece of cake.” Kids will also begin learning that there is a difference between their point of view and that of the writers. They should also still be developing their sequence skills and know which event came first and which event followed. 

Reading Goals: 

  • Ask and answer base on material

  • Cause and Effects

  • Can differentiate between literal and nonliteral language

  • Can understand the difference between their point of view and that of the writer of the text

  • Know sequences of events such as first-second-or third

Action Items

3rd Grade Action Steps for Parents: 

  • Try to develop a positive outlook on math problems. Show why they would be helpful.

Did you know? Kids that don’t have a negative attitude towards math problems have a higher functioning hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that is in charge of memories. 

  • When practicing fractions, feel free to be creative. Use brownies or a piece of pie to show how fractions work. Let your kid cut the pieces and ask them what fraction they just ate.  

  • To practice their multiplication, practice counting in sets. For example, 2, 4, 6, 8,10 or by 3’s: 3, 6, 9, 12. This will help lay down foundations for when they start multiplying. 

  • Practice their math skills with real-life problems. For example, ask how much they want to spend for lunch. Now give them money and ask how much change they should expect to get before you order food. Another way is to practice subtracting sale price items from their original price. This is a good way to practice their subtraction skills but also show them the value of saving money. 

  • Another interesting way to practice math in real life is to ask how much gas you will pay based on the price per gallon. For example, “Hey John, the gas cost 2.24 per gallon. How much will I pay if I get 5 gallons..?” 

  • Promote reading series books to your kids. These are book sets that include more than one book. This helps your kids make connections within the stories and see characters develop. You can read to your child, have your child read to you, or they can read on their own. 

  • If your student comes across a word that they don’t know, look it up together. Once you have the definition, encourage your child to use the word in a sentence throughout the day. 

  • Play simple multiplication card games. For example, if your child has a card with a 10 and you have a card with a 4, you would multiply 4x10 and whoever gets the right answer first gets a point. Make sure to give your child time before you answer. But watch out, soon her answering skills will be fast as lightning.