Math is an interesting subject that is based on different interesting concepts. As a child moves on from one grade to another, all the concepts keep building and become a bit harder in every grade. In first grade math, a child is introduced to basic math concepts, while in grade two the child is introduced to some more elementary math including addition and subtraction.
The right guidance is important for developing interest in math among children. The more the teaching method is interactive, interesting, and fun the better the child will grasp the elementary math concept and develop interest on the subject.
Curriculum for 3rd Grade Math
Depending upon locations, a 3rd grader may be expected to learn number sense and numeration, telling time, and measuring distance or weight. Third grade math may also include some geometry and spatial sense, like identifying and naming different quadrilaterals, identifying congruent shape, and the ability to recognize transformations.
At the end of the year the child may also be expected to learn patterning and algebra, including number line, bar graph, determining missing numbers in equations, and investigating the properties of one and zero in multiplication. Grade 3 lesson plans may also include data management and probability, for example predicting the frequency of an outcome, displaying data using graphs, and concept of discrete and collective data.
Parent's Guide to Help Children Learn Math
Parents can encourage their children at home to learn maths by doing different math activities together. Counting utensils or toys together helps the child to develop a good concept about number system. A child can be engaged in daily activities like involving number problems. For example, the child can be asked to calculate how many more tomatoes will be needed to make sauce for dinner, if two are already there and ten are needed for the sauce. To help children learn about different patterns, engage them is different fun activities like making patters with spoons. Indulge them to fold napkins in various shapes and patterns.
Teacher's Guide to Help Grade 3 Maths
Teachers can setup different fun math activities in their class to make math more exciting for students. Math activities help students to develop strong foundation in basic mathematical concepts. Here is a sample math activity for grade 3 students that will help students learn how to represent data in graphs.
Setup: Teachers can put up charts on the bulletin board for students to display data from their surveys.
Procedure: Divide students in five groups and each group can be asked to collect and display information about their class. Have first group to collect the favorite sport of the class, second group may collect information about favorite colors, and so on. Help the groups to display the record in the charts and then ask them to find out which is the most favorite color of the class or the least favorite sport of the students and so on.
3rd Grade Math Practice
Here are some sample math problems for students of grade 3. These are multiple choice question answers and students have to select the correct answer for each of the questions.
Question 1. How is nine thousand, fifty eight written in standard form?
- A. 9058
- B. 9508
- C. 9085
- D. 9805
Answer: A
Question 2. John has $4.00 to buy a toy car that costs $2.12. How much change should he get back?
- A. $1.88
- B. $2.02
- C. $1.01
- D. $3.12
Answer: A
Question 3. John, Rick, Emily, and Sara earned $50 from selling their toys. They decided to divide the money equally. How much money did each of the four kids get?
- A. $5.00
- B. $12.50
- C. $13.60
- D. $15.00
Answer: B
Question 4. There are 12 balls in a bag 1 red, 6 yellow, 2 green, and 3 blue balls. What color is MOST likely to come out of the bag if a ball is drawn at random?
- A. Red
- B. Yellow
- C. Green
- D. Blue
Answer: B
Question 5. How many right angles are there in a rectangle?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Four
Answer: D
Online Math Worksheet
Free online math worksheets are available on the Internet that offer math problems for children. The fun math worksheets help students to develop interest in the subject and understand fundamental math concepts easily. Many websites offer printable math games and interactive math games that are good resources for teaching elementary math to kids.
Building a strong fundamental math concept is important as it helps the student throughout all of the school years. Math should be taught with fun and interactive games so that the child learns to love the subject, instead of growing dislike towards the subject. Parents can involve their children in different activities at home to help them develop fundamental math concepts while teachers can set up interesting activities in the class room to teach important math concepts.
References:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Accessed on 18 June 2010
Help Your Child Learn Math-A Parent's Guide Accessed on 18 June 2010
Macmillan McGraw-Hill Mathematics Accessed on 18 June 2010
Ontario Curriculum Accessed on 18 June 2010
California Standard Test Accessed on 18 June 2010