In third grade, the emphasis in math is on problem solving. Just like in reading, now that students have developed some proficiency in basic math skills, we now start to apply those skills. Students become better problem solvers as they learn to apply their reading skills and the process of reasoning to solve problems.

The Florida Standards for 3rd grade math are concentrated on three Big Ideas. The Big Ideas represent content that is taught almost exclusively in that grade level. The Big Ideas taught in one year are used and reinforced in subsequent grade levels. For example, measurement skills are taught in depth in 2nd grade. In 3rd grade, students are expected to apply those measurement skills in finding perimeter and volume. The Big Ideas for Grade 3 are:

BIG IDEA 1: Develop understandings of multiplication and division and strategies for basic multiplication facts and related division facts.
BIG IDEA 2: Develop an understanding of fractions and fraction equivalence.
BIG IDEA 3: Describe and analyze properties of two-dimensional shapes.

This means that 3rd graders are going to spend much of their math time (1) developing solid understandings of basic multiplication and division facts and story problems, (2) learning in-depth about fractions and when fractions are equal to each other, and (3) visualizing and analyzing two-dimensional geometric shapes, such as squares, triangles, pentagons, and so forth.

The Supporting Ideas for Grade 3 round out the curriculum. The Supporting Ideas are revisited at every grade level to maintain skills. The Supporting Ideas come from Algebraic Thinking, Measurement, Number and Operations, and the Data Analysis. From Algebraic Thinking, students will express number relationships with charts, with words, and with drawings and variables. In Measurement, they will learn about perimeter, they will measure actual figures using —friendly fractions like 1/2 and 1/4, and they will practice telling time and elapsed time. In Number and Operations, they will use numbers up through hundred thousands, and they will solve non-routine problems by making a chart or list, and by searching for patterns. In Data Analysis, they will make various types of graphs to display data that they collect in the classroom and at home.

Online Textbook

Our math textbook is available online through Classlink. You must log in using a user name and password. Ask your child's teacher if you need to know your child's user name and password. Once you are logged in, My Library gives you access to the online version of the text and other materials.

James E. Plew Elementary School

Grade Levels

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade