Embedded Files
The "New" Math
The "New" Math
In 2009, many states shifted to the Common Core Standards. This change left many parents, and teachers, overwhelmed and frustrated. Parents were left unable to help their students at home due to this "new math" that was being taught in schools.
Although there have been shifts, the math is still the same. The Common Core gave us a new focus. Prior to 2009, the priority was getting the correct answer as quickly as possible. Our focus now is on the process of how you got the answer, and being able to explain mathematically.
Many feel the Common Core asks students to have a more conceptual understanding of math topics, rather than a quick "trick" or rote memorization. This deeper thinking allows students to make connections across topics and gives them a more flexible way of thinking.
As a teacher, I felt this book, Adding Parents to the Equation, was eyeopening. I felt it provided a lot of answers to questions many parents were asking. It provides clarity and understanding of the Common Core and offers insight on ways to bridge school and home. With the help of this book, you can gain more confidence on how to best support your child with Common Core math.
Check out these fun ways to help your student learn their multiplication facts. It doesn't always have to be boring; practicing multiplication can be fun! Take a look at the ideas and ask your student what they would enjoy doing... writing their facts 20x each OR one of these engaging activities? Maybe you can play with them!
Fun Ways to Practice Multiplication Facts at Home
Fun Ways to Practice Multiplication Facts at Home
Spiral!
Created by Math Geek Mama
Click on the image to find the rules to play!
Make Arrays!
Using paints, Q-tips and the backside of wrapping paper, students can build arrays and write the equation at the bottom!
To solve, students just count the total dot in their array.
Checkers!
Using a checker board I found at the Dollar Tree, ( I also found a printable version here) I placed stickers (numbered 0-12) on the black squares. Before a student could move or jump an opponent, they needed to solve the multiplication fact. If we were working on our 4 facts, they would multiply the number on the sticker by 4! I had a whiteboard out for students to use to help them solve the facts they didn't know.
Memory!
Make Flashcards of the fact(s) your student is practicing. Be sure to label Facts & Product (answer) so they pick one from each set. Students continue finding pairs until all facts have been matched with the correct product.
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
My teaching philosophy is built around growth mindset. The phrase 'growth mindset' was created by Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
According to her book, Mindset, "People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed."
I shared this belief with my students. Students need to understand that mistakes are proof that you are learning, challenges are a good thing, and there's no such thing as "I'm not a math person."
We need to transition away from calling our students "smart." Research has shown that students that are referred to as "smart" will eventually shut down when given challenging tasks in hopes to avoid looking not smart if they don't know it.
Students don't need to be praised on what they did, but instead on their dedication, hard work and perseverance it took to achieve. Praise the process.
Growth Mindset Poster
Growth Mindset Poster
This is a great poster to have in a spot where your child completes their homework. It offers a new way of thinking and replacing a fixed mindset with a more optimistic way of thinking!
Check it out on Amazon by clicking the image.
Growth Mindset Praise Cheat Sheet for Parents
Growth Mindset Praise Cheat Sheet for Parents
This is a great reference to look to when praising your child and breaking the mold of praising what they did and switching that praise to acknowledging the process it took them to get them there.
Click the cheat sheet to print out your own copy from parentotheca.com
Common Core Standards for Mathematics
🌟 3rd Grade Math Standards —
1. Numbers & Operations in Base Ten (Place Value) (NBT)
Students will learn to:
* Understand that each digit in a number has a value (like the 3 in 345 means 3 hundreds).
* Read, write, and compare numbers up to 1,000.
* Round numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
* Add and subtract within 1,000 — using strategies like breaking numbers apart, using place value, or number lines.
💡 *Example:* Know that 527 = 500 + 20 + 7 and that 527 is greater than 519.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Operations & Algebraic Thinking (Multiplication and Division) (OA)
Students will learn to:
* Understand what multiplication and division mean — repeated groups and equal sharing.
* Memorize multiplication facts for all numbers 0–10.
* Use multiplication and division to solve word problems.
* Find patterns in numbers (like 4 × 6 = 24 and 6 × 4 = 24).
* Use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve real-world problems.
💡 *Example:* “If 3 bags each have 5 apples, how many apples are there in all?” (3 × 5 = 15)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Fractions (NF)
Students will learn to:
* Understand that fractions show parts of a whole (½, ⅓, ¼, etc.).
* Identify and draw fractions on a number line.
* Compare simple fractions (like knowing ½ is bigger than ¼).
* Understand that fractions with the same top number but bigger bottom numbers are smaller pieces (like 1/8 is smaller than 1/4).
💡 *Example:* Recognize that 2/4 is the same as ½.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Measurement & Data (MD)
Students will learn to:
* Tell and write time to the nearest minute.
* Solve problems involving time, liquid volume (liters), and mass (grams).
* Measure objects to the nearest half or whole unit (like inches or centimeters).
* Make and read graphs (picture graphs, bar graphs, line plots).
* Understand the idea of “area” (how much space a shape covers) and “perimeter” (the distance around a shape).
💡 *Example:* “If a garden is 3 feet wide and 4 feet long, what is the area?” (3 × 4 = 12 square feet)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Geometry (Shapes) (G)
Students will learn to:
* Identify and describe shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals, rectangles, squares, etc.).
* Classify shapes by their sides and angles.
* Understand that shapes can share attributes (for example, all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares).
* Divide shapes into equal parts and name the fractions (like dividing a rectangle into 4 equal parts makes fourths).
💡 *Example:* Recognize that cutting a pizza into 8 equal slices means each slice is 1/8 of the pizza.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🧮 Big Goal of 3rd Grade Math:
By the end of 3rd grade, students should be comfortable with multiplication and division facts, understand fractions and area, and be able to solve real-world problems using what they know.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse