Support for Grade 3 Families
If your child is using Bridges Grade 3, you may find the resources below helpful.
What Your Third Grader Will Learn (PDF)
Your child’s teacher may use the Math Skills & Concepts Student Report to communicate with you about how your child is doing in math class. This report is meant to provide an overall picture of your child’s progress at a given point in the year. It does not include every skill or idea your child will study in math class. To get a more complete picture of how your child is doing, you can also read your school’s report card, talk to your child’s teacher, and ask to see examples of your child’s work including class work and tests. Revised standards in some states expect students to master some of the skills we have designated as “beyond third grade.” For example, updated Washington standards require third graders to add and subtract numbers of any size using efficient and effective paper-and-pencil methods, including the standard algorithm.
Overview of Grade 3 Units (PDF)
Each two-page handout below provides a quick overview of what students will learn in a single Bridges unit. They include sample problems with answers, so you may find them useful when helping with homework. If you're not sure what unit your child's class is in right now, ask his or her teacher, or look at the small print at the top of the most recent homework assignment. Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8
Math with Your Third Grader (PDF)
This handout offers advice on how to help with homework and make math a fun and useful part of family life.
Parents as Partners
The Oregon Council for Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) offers a pamphlet to assist parents in their efforts to support and encourage their children in mathematics. You can download the pamphlet in both English and Spanish. (Click on the version you want.)
Math Vocabulary for Grade 3 (PDF)
Click here to refresh your memory of key terms you may need to help with your third grader’s homework. Definitions include examples and pictures. If you want to look up other words, we recommend using A Maths Dictionary for Kids, which includes definitions, examples, animations, and even practice games.
Home Connections for Grade 3
Pages and assignments from Home Connections book.
Online Skills Practice for Grade 3
Age-appropriate computer games can help your child practice basic skills. The links below will take you to free online games that may be helpful and fun for your third grader. (You may need to update the browser on your computer or install free plugins like Flash or Shockwave for these games to work.)
Play each game first to make sure it matches your child’s interests and abilities. You might need to help your child get started with each game. If your child has trouble focusing, the graphics may be too distracting. Children benefit from hands-on experiences and interaction with other people, so when you have time, play board games and talk to your child about the math he or she is doing. There is no substitute for your interest and involvement!
Basic Addition
Two Minute Warning The player has 2 minutes to answer as many addition problems as he or she can. At the end of the game, the computer will show how many correct and incorrect answers the players got.
Pyramid Solitaire The player removes cards by finding pairs of numbers that add to 13. You might need to remind your child that J = 11, Q = 12, K = 13, and A = 1. You might also want to talk about strategic ways to make choices when more than one move is possible. Your child might prefer to play with a deck of cards after learning the game on the computer.
Math Lines The player races to pair numbers that add up to 10. Before your child plays, review the pairs of numbers that add up to 10.
Numbers The player selects combinations of numbers that add up to a target number. The goal is to remove as many numbers from the board as possible before running out of numbers that can be added to get the next target number. After your child has played a few times, talk about strategies that might help him or her remove more numbers from the board.
Basic Subtraction
Two Minute Warning The player has 2 minutes to answer as many subtraction problems as he or she can. At the end of the game, the computer will show how many correct and incorrect answers the players got.
Subtraction Blast The player can subtract either 2 or 3 from a number as many times as he or she wants to. The goal is to get each number to 0 as quickly as possible. Talk with your child about how he or she can get numbers to 0 quickly. (For example, you can get 10 to 0 by subtracting 2 five times, or you can subtract 2 twice and 3 twice.)
Larger Addition
Falling Problems A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 10. In a more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is great for developing number sense and estimation skills.
Timed Flashcards The player solves as many two-digit addition problems as he or she can in one minute.
Larger Subtraction
Falling Problems A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 10. In a more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is great for developing number sense and estimation skills.
Timed Flashcards The player solves as many two-digit subtraction problems as he or she can in one minute.
Basic Multiplication
Times Square This game provides great practice with multiplication facts as players race to be the first to get 4 products in a row on the game board.
Factor Dazzle Players score points for finding all the factors of target numbers set by their opponents.
Two Minute Warning The player has 2 minutes to answer as many multiplication problems as he or she can. At the end of the game, the computer will show how many correct and incorrect answers the players got.
Pumpkin Multiples The player races to collect multiples of a number. Before your child starts playing, talk about how you can tell if a number is a multiple of the number he or she selected. At the end of the game, the computer will show the multiples: talk with your child about any patterns he or she sees in those numbers. What do the multiples have in common?
All Basic Facts
Quick Math The player must select the operational symbol (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) that will make the equation true. All equations are based on basic facts. After your child has played a few times, talk about some quick ways to tell which operation will complete the equation. Your child might be using strategies that don’t involve doing all the calculations, and that is fine: the strategies probably rely on a strong sense of number and operations.
Money: Subtraction with Decimal Numbers
Making Change The player finds the difference between a price and the amount of money paid. Then the player shows that change using the fewest coins and bills possible. Talk to your child about some ways to calculate the amount of change mentally. For example, can he or she add up from the price to the amount paid to figure the difference?
Telling Time
Time Clock The player moves the hands of a clock to show different times.
What Time Is It? The player chooses the digital clock that shows the time shown on an analog clock (a clock with an hour and minute hand).
Fractions
Pizza Party The player selects the fraction that shows how much of a pizza is left on the pan.
More Games
The two sites below contain some of the best games for elementary math students. Look through the sites to find other games for your child to play.
Primary Games
Math Games on Fun School
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Math Books for Grade 3
Reading books with mathematical themes can help students improve their skills and foster a good attitude toward math. This list will direct you to books that you and your child may enjoy.
Counting & Number Sense
How Much Is a Million? by David M. Schwartz
A Million Dots by Andrew Clements
Multiplying
Two of Everything: A Chinese Folktale by Lily Toy Hong
Amanda Bean's Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander
Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar by Mitsumasa Anno
Sea Squares by Joy Hulme (used in Bridges Grade 4)
The Best of Times by Greg Tang
Dividing
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J Pinczes (used in Grade 2 Bridges)
A Remainder of One by Elinor J Pinczes (used in Grade 4 Bridges)
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Time
Cluck O'Clock by Kes Gray
Money
Jenny Found a Penny by Trudy Harris
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst (used in Bridges Grade 3)
If You Made a Million by David M. Schwartz (used in Bridges Grade 5)
Problem Solving
Anno's Hat Trick by Mitsumasa Anno
The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang
Anno's Math Games by Mitsumasa Anno
Estimation
Betcha! Estimating by Stuart J. Murphy
Great Estimations by Bruce Goldstone
Fractions
Jump, Kangaroo, Jump! by Stuart J. Murphy
Fraction Action by Loreen Leedy
Fraction Fun by David A. Adler
Geometry
Shapes, Shapes, Shapes by Tana Hoban
Cubes, Cones, Cylinders, & Spheres by Tana Hoban
Measurement
How Big Is a Foot? by Rolf Myller
Millions to Measure by David M. Schwartz
Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
Counting on Frank by Rod Clement
If You Hopped Like a Frog by David Schwartz (used in Bridges Grade 3)
Math Activities
Math Games & Activities from Around the World by Claudia Zaslavsky
Printer-friendly version