Curriculum for Grade 3

Students build upon their knowledge of addition to identify factors (how many groups, how many objects in each group) and to compose and solve simple multiplication equations. They work with groups of 2-5 identical objects, beginning with models of identical concrete objects, such as bunches of bananas and fingers on a hand. As students progress, they work with more abstract objects (identical beads) and objects in an array.

Students continue to work with concrete and more abstract objects to build models of division. They use the "dealing" method to create a given number of equal groups and also create groups of a given size. Based on these models, they answer the questions, "How many groups?" and "How many in each group?" They compose and solve division equations and determine the missing factor in multiplication problems.

Students use concrete and abstract objects to understand the concept of division. They then relate division to multiplication to help build understanding and fact fluency. Students begin by solving simple division equations (quotients to 5) and then advance to solving equations with quotients to 10.

Building upon previous learning about multiplication and division, students apply their understanding to facts using 4 as a product or divisor. They work with familiar manipulatives and progression of skills to build understanding and fluency.

Building upon previous learning about multiplication and division, students apply their understanding to facts using 5 as a product or divisor and 10 as a product. They also develop understanding of the distributive property of multiplication and division. Students build connections between equations, arrays, tape diagrams, and word problems.

Students enrich their understanding of multiplication and division by introducing the multiplication chart and the commutative property (or 'turnaround facts') of multiplication. They continue to build fact fluency, adding factors 6-9 to their repertoire.

Students begin with familiar tasks taken to a more challenging level with higher factors. They deepen their understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division as well as their fact fluency.

In addition to extending students' mastery of multiplication and division to include 8, they are also introduced to multi-step equations that use parentheses. Using illustrations and step-by-step instruction, students learn that parentheses and order of operations do not affect multiplication-only equations. They also continue to build their mastery of the break apart and distribute strategy.

Students apply and extend previous understanding to include 9 as a factor or divisor. We also introduce a strategy specifically for multiplying by 9.