Mathematics — Grade 3

Story Problems Made Interesting

After introducing students to story problem strategies, students will be asked to write their own story problem(s). The problems must deal with real life situations. Fantasy worlds and silly situations are not allowed. Each student must also be able to solve their own problem(s). If the problems are not entered into a computer and saved, then the teacher will compile groups of problems for the students to solve. The author's name of each problem should be attached to the problem. If a student needs help solving a problem, he/she is only allowed to ask the author of that problem for assistance.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

By Tim Galliher.

Solid graphing

The students will review solid figures using a baggie of assorted snack mix (cones, cubes, cylinders, and spheres) and will begin a vertical bar graph showing the number of each solid figure in a bag of assorted snack mix.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

By Lisa Fletcher.

Shopping spree

Students will practice counting money up to five dollars using grocery ads from local stores.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

By Lauren Gary.

Rounding ball

This lesson is designed to help students become more efficient at rounding numbers to tens and hundreds using mental math methods. It will help students become quick thinkers and stay focused.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

By Brenda Seymour.

Piggin' out with money

Students will work with money manipulatives to solve word problems that involve adding money amounts and making change. The lesson is introduced with the literature book, Pigs Will be Pigs. After solving the problems posed in the book, the students will work with partners to create their "pig problems". Assessment will require students to solve similar problems on a teacher made worksheet. When time allows, each student will have the opportunity to go to an Internet site to work with money problems and games.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

Money and more money

Students will use problem solving skills and knowledge to solve a given problem using money. This activity will help enhance the students' self concept, and understanding the importance of learning basic money skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2 Mathematics)

By Betty Black.

Milk it for all it's worth

Students will cooperatively discover the equivalent measures of capacity. In addition, students will be given a unit price of milk and will be asked to calculate the price of other units of capacity based on the price given. They will then use this information to determine the most economical buy.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

By ann dawson.

M&M math

M&M Math provides students with hands-on activities. Students will be sorting objects, comparing whole numbers, writing fractions, performing addition, subtraction, and division problems with the use of manipulatives.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 Mathematics)

By Angela Gillie.

Grocery store technology

Students will identify how technology has changed in an occupation over time. This is also an introductory rounding/estimation lesson using addition of money.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Computer/Technology Skills and Mathematics)

By Barbara Crouch.

Book order math

Using a book order catalog, students will calculate costs for their book choices, learn how to write a check, and to fill out an order form.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Mathematics)

By Teri Dammann.

Resources on the web

What's the beat?

This lesson emphasizes the connections between science and mathematics by using a performance, or authentic, assessment format. Students explore applications involving their own heart. In this activity, students use the average adult's number of heartbeats... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

What if we changed the book? Problem-posing with “Sixteen Cows”

In this lesson that combines children's literature and mathematics, students are challenged to observe a text and make changes in order to create math problems. After hearing the story read aloud, students are invited to brainstorm some literary and mathematical... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Talking, writing, and reasoning: Making thinking visible with math journals

Students are encouraged to talk about and record their attempts at math problems as they work and record solutions, strategies, and other observations. As an opening activity, students explore their thoughts about math in journals and share them with classmates.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

More or less estimator

This activity allows the user to estimate quantities and sizes including the number of objects in a set, the lengths of a curve, and the area of a shape (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: Shodor

Every breath you take

Using the number of breaths taken during a specified time period as the context for this exploration, students estimate, experiment, and display real-life data. Illuminations provides detailed instructions and an activity sheet necessary for completing... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Competing coasters

Students look at attributes that vary from roller coaster to roller coaster. Illuminations provides an activity sheets and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. After students have discussed their roller coaster experiences, they compare and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Comparison estimator

This activity allows the user to compare two quantities (which may be the number of objects in each of two sets, the lengths of two curves, or the area of two shapes) by estimating. (Learn more)

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–12 Mathematics)

Provided by: Shodor

Beverage sharing and serving

Students determine, using a nonstandard cup or plastic drinking container, the minimum amount of fruit drink needed to serve class members. Illuminations provides an activity sheet and detailed instructions for completing the lesson. Students will:... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Bag the beans

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students will work with manipulatives (beans) to create and solve math problems, some of which have more than one correct answer. This lesson addresses the common misconception that there is only one correct way to solve... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

Provided by: Science Netlinks