Third grade Math is a crucial stage for young learners. Students are expected to master addition and subtraction as they are introduced to multiplication, division, fractions, and perimeters. As your child’s first teacher, your initiative to dive into the analytical obstacles of the 3rd grade is a key to supplementing your young learner’s mastery of the said skills. Working with free multiplication worksheets can be a good start.

Third grade Math covers:

Mastery of Multiplication and Division Tables 0-100

At third grade, students are expected to have already mastered both addition and subtraction. These skills are fundamental in tackling multiplication and division processes. Basically, multiplication is repeated addition while division is repeated subtraction. Third graders are usually introduced to the works of multiplication and division processes through the aid of pictures and graphs or pictographs to make the learning process easier and more exciting. You can use these printable division worksheets to test your child’s skills.

Takeaway:

Students learn easily if they are provided with problems or exercises to which they can easily relate to. One good example is using your pets at home such as “If two of our pet dogs are pregnant and each gives birth to five puppies, how many new puppies will there be in all?” Using pictures of dogs and puppies as objects of the problem can help your third grader work on the numerical data with ease and fun.

Recognizing the Relationship Between Multiplication and Division

Prior to reaching third grade, your child has already understood the inverse relation of addition to subtraction. Multiplication and division works exactly in the same manner.

Takeaway:

Come up with exercises that establish such a relationship – 6 multiplied by 7 is 42, 42 divided by 7 is 6.

Four-Operation Word Problems

Also known as Mixed Operation Word Problems, these exercises encourage third graders to test their skills on the four operations. The problem itself allows the students to analyze the question along with the given information.

Takeaway:

Two-step word problems are a great way to kickstart the skill. Introduce to your child the five key steps in properly solving a word problem. These include identifying the problem, gathering information, creating an equation, solving the problem, and verifying the answer.

Fractions Represented on a Number Line

Fractions are taught as early as first grade. Mathematics in the third grade provides an even more complex and deeper perception of the concept. With the help of a number line, third graders grasp an additional understanding of fractions – not just being part of a whole but as part of a distance or time.

Takeaway:

With your guidance, allow your child to draw a standard number line on his/her own. Clearly identify and mark points along the line with equal distances among each other. Through these points, discuss fractions and their relation to the entire set. Open-ended questions throughout the discussion can help anchor a better understanding of the concept.

Telling Time to the Minute

Earlier grades introduced time telling through five-minute intervals. In third grade, your child is expected to tell time more accurately down to the nearest minute.

Takeaway:

Your home is always the most convenient training ground for your child in telling time. As much as possible, use only analog clocks in asking your child what time it is and in observing various schedules of different chores and stuff.

Picture Graphs and Scaled Bars

Reading and interpreting data through graphs are integral components of 3rd Grade Math basically through picture graphs and scaled bars. The former renders information through images that symbolize a certain quantity whereas the latter provides data of two different variables. Furthermore, your child will be tasked to produce his own scaled bars and picture graphs using a certain set of data provided.

Takeaway:

Identify certain things at home that can be analyzed quantitatively such as pillows, plates, cups, among many others. Allow your child to come up with appropriate graphs to use for certain groups of previously identified objects. Encourage your child to be as creative as possible.

Area versus Perimeter

Third Grade Math introduces Geometry in terms of area and perimeter. Basically, addition and multiplication are the two processes used in calculating perimeter and area respectively.

Takeaway:

With the help of a measuring tape or ruler, have your child find the area and perimeter of various parts or things at home – from books and tables to plates and frying pans.

As your child moves up to third grade, his Math lessons progress. 3rd Grade Math can be more complex and challenging but it can also be fun and exciting with your help!