Welcome to the BCPS Third Grade Math Information Page!
Third Grade Math Content
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The Baltimore County Public Schools elementary mathematics program is designed so that each student has access to rigorous instruction and engages in the habits of mind of proficient mathematical thinkers.
In Grade 3, instructional time should focus on four critical areas: (1) developing understanding of multiplication and division and strategies for multiplication and division within 100; (2) developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions (fractions with numerator 1); (3) developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area; and (4) describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.
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Proficient Mathematical Thinkers
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
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Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
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Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
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Model with mathematics.
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Use appropriate tools strategically.
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Attend to precision.
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Look for and make use of structure.
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Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
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(1) Students develop an understanding of the meanings of multiplication and division of whole numbers through activities and problems involving equal-sized groups, arrays, and area models; multiplication is finding an unknown product, and division is finding an unknown factor in these situations. For equal-sized group situations, division can require finding the unknown number of groups or the unknown group size. Students use properties of operations to calculate products of whole numbers, using increasingly sophisticated strategies based on these properties to solve multiplication and division problems involving single-digit factors. By comparing a variety of solution strategies, students learn the relationship between multiplication and division.
(2) Students develop an understanding of fractions, beginning with unit fractions. Students view fractions in general as being built out of unit fractions, and they use fractions along with visual fraction models to represent parts of a whole. Students understand that the size of a fractional part is relative to the size of the whole. For example, 1/2 of the paint in a small bucket could be less paint than 1/3 of the paint in a larger bucket, but 1/3 of a ribbon is longer than 1/5 of the same ribbon because when the ribbon is divided into 3 equal parts, the parts are longer than when the ribbon is divided into 5 equal parts. Students are able to use fractions to represent numbers equal to, less than, and greater than one. They solve problems that involve comparing fractions by using visual fraction models and strategies based on noticing equal numerators or denominators.
(3) Students recognize area as an attribute of two-dimensional regions. They measure the area of a shape by finding the total number of same size units of area required to cover the shape without gaps or overlaps, a square with sides of unit length being the standard unit for measuring area. Students understand that rectangular arrays can be decomposed into identical rows or into identical columns. By decomposing rectangles into rectangular arrays of squares, students connect area to multiplication, and justify using multiplication to determine the area of a rectangle.
(4) Students describe, analyze, and compare properties of two-dimensional shapes. They compare and classify shapes by their sides and angles, and connect these with definitions of shapes. Students also relate their fraction work to geometry by expressing the area of part of a shape as a unit fraction of the whole.
Third Grade Math Curriculum
In third grade, students focus on multiplication, fractions, and area. Throughout the year they:
- Multiply numbers from 0 to 10 with fluency
- Multiply with numbers greater than 10
- Add and subtract with numbers to 1,000
- Work with unit fractions (fractions with a 1 in the numerator like 1/3 and 1/6) and add and subtract fractions
- Explore division
The math might sometimes seem unfamiliar or different than you remember, but there are many ways you can help!
- Invite your child to talk about the math by asking questions like, “Did you do a problem like this at school? How did you think about it?”
- Focus on the pictures. Bridges uses visual models to make the mathematics accessible to all learners. Talking about the pictures is a great way to get started. Ask questions like, “Can we draw a picture of this problem? Now how can we use the picture to solve the problem?”
Get more information and ideas about how to help your child by visiting this website for families: www.mathlearningcenter.org/families
By being open to learning and talking with your child, you can help your child develop strong skills and a love of math.
Third Grade Math Family Support Resources
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Year at a Glance
Bridges Welcome Letter
(English / En Español)
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Math At Home Activities
Math at Home Grade 2 |
Unit 1: Addition and Subtraction Patterns
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Unit 2: Introduction to Multiplication
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Unit 3: Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction
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Unit 4: Measurement & Fractions
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Unit 5: Multiplication, Division & Area
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Unit 7: Extending Multiplication & Fractions
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Unit 8: Bridge Design & Construction:
Data Collection & Analysis
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