Parent guide · Grade 3 Math · Unit 3

Lesson 3.3 Facts of 3 and 4

Written for the parent. Read the Say this lines aloud as they are, or in your own words. Answers for you are marked Listen for.

At a glance

Time: 5 sessions of 25–30 minutes
Goal: Know the 3s and 4s facts.
You need: Counters (dried beans, buttons or pebbles)
Dice
Pencil and crayons
Print: Worksheet A · Worksheet B · the lesson page (it also has a short video (3:22))

Steps

Warm-up
Do this: Ask these out loud. Your child answers out loud; no paper needed.
- Ask: “2 × 4” Listen for: 8
- Ask: “4 × 10” Listen for: 40
- Ask: “10 × 4” Listen for: 40
- Ask: “9 × 10” Listen for: 90
- Ask: “3 × 10” Listen for: 30
Teach the new idea
Say this: “The 4s are double the 2s: 4 × 6 = double 12 = 24.”
Say this: “The 3s are the 2s plus one more group: 3 × 7 = 14 + 7 = 21.”
Say this: “Double: multiply by 2.”
Show how
Show: 4 × 3 = ___
Say this: “Fours: double, then double again. 3 × 2 = 6”
Say this: “6 × 2 = 12”
Answer: 12
Show: A Roman soldier marched 8 miles a day for 8 days. How far did he march?
$bar model$
Say this: “Unknown: the total.”
Say this: “Bar model: 8 equal parts of 8; the whole is unknown.”
Say this: “Equation: 8 × 8 = ?”
Say this: “8 × 8 = 64”
Say this: “Answer: He marched 64 miles.”
Answer: 64 miles. He marched 64 miles.
Practice together
Do this: Your child does these with you. Let them try first; help only after a real try.
Ask: 7 × 3 = ___
Listen for: 21
If stuck: 7 × 3 = 21
Ask: 5 × 3 = ___
Listen for: 15
If stuck: Fives: half of tens. 3 × 10 = 30
Ask: 3 × 2 = ___
Listen for: 6
If stuck: Twos are doubles: 3 + 3 = 6
7 more practice items on the lesson page, and on Worksheet A and Worksheet B.
Watch for
- Skip counting from the wrong start.
Game: Array Builders
Roll two dice. Build that many rows and columns with beans or buttons, then say the fact: “4 rows of 6 is 24.” Keep a tally of facts you know instantly.
Narration
Say this: “Tell me what you learned today. Show me with your hands or the counters if you like.”
Listen for: Know the 3s and 4s facts.
Daily habit
Skip count by 2s, 5s, 10s, 3s and 4s to the tenth multiple. Fact drill (one minute) on Fridays.

Spread over the week

5 sessions of 25–30 minutes. Stop while it is still going well.

Session 1. Warm-up, then teach the new idea (steps 1 and 2).
Session 2. Warm-up again, then show how with the examples.
Session 3. Practice together, then play the game.
Session 4. More practice on the worksheet, and the daily habit.
Session 5. Quick check: narration and a few practice items. Move on when it is mostly right.