Curriculum Update November 27, 2018

Science:

We are continuing our study of animal adaptations. Students will be choosing an animal to study and apply their knowledge about habitats, behavioral and physical adaptations. This will be done on Google Slides.  We will also be reflecting on our field trip to the aquarium.

Language Arts:

As students finish their research on an animal of their choice, they are beginning to draft informational books. Students will write multiple "chapters", each focusing on a related subtopic. Students will learn how the author's balance facts and information with their own new and interesting ideas, which adds voice and style to their writing.

As readers, students continue to read many texts that teach about the same topic, and put that information together, or synthesize it in a meaningful way. They have also been practicing their vocabulary skills to keep track of new words and try to learn and use them when discussing the topic with others. They are even working on including "expert vocabulary" into their informational writing.

Properties of Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems with 2-5 and 10 In this first module of Grade 3, we build on second-grade knowledge of addition and work toward greater fluency. We will also be building arrays (arrangements of a set of objects organized into equal groups in rows and columns), and setting the stage for multiplication and division.

Grade Level Standards 3.OA.1, 3.OA.2, 3.OA.3, 3.OA.4, 3.OA.5, 3.OA.6, 3.OA.7, 3.OA.8, 3.OA.9 Student Report Card ·      Represents and solves problems involving multiplication and division. ·      Understands and applies properties of multiplication and division. ·      Multiplies and divides within 100. ·      Identifies and explains patterns in arithmetic.

Key Vocabulary

·      Array: a set of numbers or objects that follow a specific pattern, a matrix

·      Commutative Property: e.g., rotate a rectangular array 90 degrees to demonstrate that factors in a multiplication sentence can switch places

·      Equal groups: with reference to multiplication and division; one factor is the number of objects in a group, and the other is a multiplier that indicates the number of groups

·      Equation: a statement that 2 expressions are equal, e.g., 3 × 4 = 12

·      Distributive Property: e.g. 12 × 3 = (10 × 3) + (2 × 3). The 3 is the multiplier and the 12 is decomposed into 10 and 2

·      Factors: i.e., numbers that are multiplied to obtain a product

·      Quotient: the answer when one number is divided by another

 

How you can help at home:

·      Make arrays out of household items (e.g., pennies, beans, blocks). Determine how many items are on each row.

·      Select multiplication or division facts to illustrate or write a word problem.

·      Hunt for multiple sets of objects in the home. Use repeated addition and multiplication to find the totals.

·      Sort coins according to type, count the number of coins and then multiply to find the total value of pennies (x 1), nickels (x 5), dimes (x 10) and quarters (x 25).

·      Roll 2 number cubes. Find the products of the factors.

·      Count quantities of items by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.

·      Roll 2 number cubes to determine the factors. Make an array to find the product.

·      Act out division problems with counters. For example, Brad has 12 rabbits. He puts the same number of rabbits into each of 4 cages. How many rabbits does Brad put in each cage?

·      Roll 2 number cubes and write the fact families. For example, for rolls of 4 and 6, write: 4 X 6 = 24, 6 X 4 = 24

·      Ask your child to find the missing factor. For example, 5 x what number = 35?

Models and Representations

 

Ways to show understanding of multiplication and division   Number Bonds Number bonds help students see that numbers can be "broken" into pieces to make computation easier.  With number bonds, students recognize the relationships between the parts and the whole. Arrays Arrays reinforce the meaning of multiplication as repeated addition (e.g., 3 x 5 = 5 + 5 + 5).  They also reinforce the two meanings of division.  The first type of division is 15 ÷ 3 can indicate how many will be in each group if I make 3 equal groups.   The second type of division is how many groups I can make if I put 3 in each group.  Tape Diagrams Tape diagrams are a problem-solving tool used to show number relationships.  Students draw and label tape diagrams to help them to compare and analyze problems that may use the same division sentence but have quotients representing different things.  Students initially work through word problems using arrays and tape diagrams to practice solving the two types of division, and then transition to problem-solving using abstract division equations. Commutative Property Third graders are introduced to the commutative property. They will gain an understanding that the commutative property means that when multiplying, the factors can change places, but the total does not change. Distributive Property Students will begin to explore the use of smaller facts to solve a larger fact by using arrays. This array shows how dividing the problem into two smaller factors can make it easier to solve. Students already know 2 x 3 and 3 x 3. So they know 5 x 3.