Explanation Videos For Grade 3

Members: Please login first to view the videos.
Not a member? Learn more about our Membership Program.

Grade 1 / Grade 2 / Grade 3 / Grade 4 / Grade 5

Grade 3 Semester 1


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 1 – Numbers to 10,000

Students will apply counting skills within hundreds and thousands, using the number 1,000 as a reference, to estimate and count larger numbers. Use of fixed amounts also helps with pattern recognition in number sequences. As larger numbers represent authentic numbers in real life, students will solve word problems within these contexts and may apply larger numbers to real life through authentic tools such as money. Students can practice representing numbers in standard and expanded numeric and word forms.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 3 – Mental Math and Estimation

Practicing mental math requires place value understanding. Teach students how to mentally add and subtract by decomposing numbers or reformulating numbers through compensation. Use place value understanding and rounding skills to estimate numbers and make sense of reasonable answers.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 5 – Addition to 10,000

In this lesson, students practice counting skills of larger numbers: hundreds and thousands, and consider real life context to make sense of the sizes of these numbers. Using place value skills, students learn to compare numbers and identify patterns in a number sequence. Students also practice reading and writing numbers in standard and expanded forms, numerically and in word format.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 6 – Subtraction to 10,000

Students will subtract three and four digit numbers without regrouping, relying on understanding of place value and the part-part-whole concept. Students can start by building numbers by place value with hands-on manipulatives, before moving on to pictorial representations of these numbers. Students should work with concrete and pictorial tools to develop a solid and conceptual understanding of regrouping. Finally, teach students to use this conceptual understanding of each digit’s place value and regrouping with the standard algorithm.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 8 – Using Bar Models: Addition and Subtraction

Teach students how to solve two step addition and subtraction problems using bar models to represent the values, including the unknown value. Bar models can be used in part-part-whole type problems as well as comparison problems, and students need to interpret which type of problem they have before applying the bar model method.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 9 – Multiplication Tables of 6, 7, 8, and 9

Multiplication of 6s, 7s, 8s, and 9s can be challenging for most students. As with the smaller numbers, students will apply similar strategies, including using the properties of multiplication to identify the unknown value, typically the product, but also a factor. Finding a missing factor ties directly to division concepts. Students should be able to use bar models to solve related word problems.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 12 – Multiplication

In this lesson, students focus on multiplying three digit numbers by one digit numbers, with and without regrouping. Pictorial representations and use of place value chips can be a great visual and interactive tool for instruction. Students can multiply by place value which is effective as a strategy on its own or as a step toward using the standard algorithm.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 14 – Division

Divide numbers consisting of up to four digits by a one digit number with and without remainders. Students will use strategies that include place value understanding and multiplication concepts and properties.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 1 Week 16 – Using Bar Models: Multiplication and Division

Teach students to use bar models when solving two step word problems that require all four operations. Students can practice interpreting word problems and determine which operation they would use per step. They should apply bar model representations that match each step. In these word problems, students should apply the addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division strategies they have learned.

lesson plan


Grade 3 Semester 2


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 1 – Money

Add and subtract monetary values expressed as decimals, using redistribution of numbers as well as the standard algorithm. Money is consistently notated as wholes and parts of a whole to the hundredths place, and students should be careful to line up each digit to ensure accurate calculation. When solving word problems with money, students can use bar models to represent all known and unknown values.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 3 – Metric Length, Mass, and Volume/Real-World Problems

In this lesson, students measure standard units of volume and mass and convert measurements to the same unit to for consistency in calculation. Students can also solve word problems using bar models.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 5 – Bar Graphs and Line Plots

Students will learn how to read and interpret data from bar graphs and line plots, and input data based on information. They will solve one and two step word problems, applying learned calculation skills, and answer questions based on the data.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 6 – Fractions

Teach fraction essentials, that they represent equal parts of a whole, with one part representing the unit fraction. Students will also learn how to write fractions accurately, the roles of a numerator and a denominator, and how to understand fractional order on a number line.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 6 – Fractions

Teach students that fractions of different units can be equivalent to each other, as well as to whole numbers. Use hands-on manipulatives to pictorial representations, including interactive activities such as folding paper in equal parts for students to engage in learning and solidify fractional concepts. Understanding equivalent fractions is key for students to express fractions in simplest form.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 7 – Fractions

In this lesson, students will learn how to compare and order fractions with the same unit fraction or with unlike denominators. Equivalent fractions can serve as a reference point for comparing sizes of fractions. Fractions can also be compared to each other without a reference point. Unlike fractions with different denominators can be compared when converted to the same unit fraction.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 8 – Fractions

Students will add and subtract proper fractions with the same denominator up to a sum of 1 whole or from a total of 1 whole. It’s important that students identify and add or subtract the unit fraction, and not the numerator or denominator separately. Teach and reinforce concepts with fraction manipulatives and careful use of pictorial representations. Strategies to build up conceptual understanding include decomposing a fraction to various smaller parts and adding up unit fractions to equal one whole.  

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 8 – Fractions

Teach students how to determine fractional parts of a larger set, following a specific progression of skills, including multiplication and simplifying. Students must be able to find the equal parts of a number and can use a bar model to determine this.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 9 – Time and Temperature

In this lesson, students will learn skills involving time. They will tell time to the minute, use time vocabulary terms, and convert time to a standard unit of minutes or hours. Students will also learn to add and subtract time, and solve word problems involving time.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 10 – Angles and Lines

Students will learn to identify right angles, parallel lines, and perpendicular lines. Use manipulatives such as angle brackets, geoboards, real life objects, and pictorial representations to reinforce teaching.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 11 – Two-Dimensional Shapes

Students will identify attributes of two dimensional shapes and determine attributes that may be shared by different shapes. Students will learn to categorize shapes and determine shapes that would not fit into categories.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 13 – Area and Perimeter

Teach students how to find the area and perimeter of shapes, including complex or overlapping shapes that can be decomposed into multiple smaller and simpler shapes. Progress in skills from counting unit squares, to tiling, then to multiplying side lengths. Students will learn how to solve for unknown dimensions use area or perimeter information to determine unknown dimensions.

lesson plan


member’s video

Semester 2 Week 16 – *Customary Length, Weight and Capacity (Optional)

This lesson focuses on measurement. Students will learn about relative sizes of measurement units, such as inches or feet, how to convert and express measurements of larger units into smaller units, and to record measurement equivalents in different units. Types of measurements vary by length, weight, or liquid capacity.

lesson plan

Scroll to Top