Teaching 3 rd Grade Math Through Shapes Megan Dziem LRC 320 Final Project

Addition & Shapes By using shapes, you can teach addition through the use of manipulatives and pictures. (Although not necessarily 3 rd grade) Explain how addition is the combination of two or more sets of numbers. – EXAMPLE: Bob has 4 squares and he buys 6 more. How many squares does Bob have total? will be the equation. Use either manipulative squares or draw them. So we take 4 squares and 6 squares to show to the class. Now how many squares does Bob have if we combine the 6 he bought with the 4 he had?

squares Bob had squares Bob bought. How many squares are there total? Bob has 10 squares total.

Multiplication & Shapes You can also teach multiplication with the use of shapes. Explain how multiplying is a # set of a # – EXAMPLE: 3 x 4 We have 3 sets of 4 So…

sets of 4 Or 3 groups of 4 3 x 4 = 12 This is because we have 3 sets of set of 4 squares is 4 -If I get one more set of 4 squares I will have 8 because I add the two groups together. -And when I have 3 sets of 4 squares I combine all the groups so that I can see 4+4+4=

Example of an Investigation for Teaching Math After showing the students pictures of skyscrapers, city buildings, and brick homes, tell the students that they will be creating their own house or building. Also point out in pictures (like the ones below) that you can easily see how many individual squares made up these buildings just like we’ll do today!! Have them chose 2 numbers from the bag. Have them figure out how many squares they will need to build their building with their 2 numbers. They will be creating their own house or building from those 2 numbers using the squares. Afterwards they will choose 10 more shapes to add onto their house or building. How many shapes do you have total? Did you notice that buildings have these shapes before? Materials: -You will need to cut out as many small (or medium) squares as used for all the students– but make sure to use the same size for all students. -Cut 10 x # of students of shapes—circle, triangle, rectangle, etc. -Paper, glue sticks, and scissors. Materials: -You will need to cut out as many small (or medium) squares as used for all the students– but make sure to use the same size for all students. -Cut 10 x # of students of shapes—circle, triangle, rectangle, etc. -Paper, glue sticks, and scissors.

Here are some websites for more teaching ideas with math: --Multiplication Teaching Idea Box!! This is a great website to gather ideas from and see pictures and examples so that you will have all the help you need with your elementary math. --Multiplication and More For Each Grade This website provides worksheets, games, exercises, and lessons on math and language arts for each grade. They also have products available for online interaction in the classroom with academic content. --Visual Math Learning Another good website for teachers needing resources for teaching math. This site provides all the topics of math with lessons, pictures, and ideas in each one. There are great slide shows to show kids or modify yourself for your own lesson!

You can also look at this concept map for ideas on how to create a lesson on math. OR you could download your own free trial or buy the product to create your own concept map for any topic to use for your class!! Download Kidspiration HERE!Download Kidspiration HERE! --These concept maps help students to see visually how things may be related or where they may come from

This is another portion of Kidspiration for math Where you can create visuals for your lessons. Kidspiration also includes sections for writing, science, and history. It allows you to create the perfect visual aid for any lesson plan!! This is another portion of Kidspiration for math Where you can create visuals for your lessons. Kidspiration also includes sections for writing, science, and history. It allows you to create the perfect visual aid for any lesson plan!!