3rd - 5th Grade Math Guided Lessons

Fractions can be a tricky concept for third graders to master, but this guided lesson can help kids get there. It provides focused instruction designed by teachers and curriculum experts that is specific to the third grade curriculum. Exercises and practical examples help kids to put fractions in context with real-world math problems. When finished with the lesson, check out our fractions worksheets for more practice.

This guided lesson builds upon third graders' understanding of multiplication in order to further develop fluency with this operation. The lesson first reinforces the various strategies for doing multiplication (for example, repeated addition), then teaches kids to apply those strategies within practical exercises. Designed by our team of teachers and curriculum experts, the goal is to provide numerous ways to conceptualize multiplication problems.

If you think about math as a language, expressions and equations are the sentences. This unit brings students into the world of “math language”, learning how to write complex expressions in different forms and convert numbers in one form to another (i.e.decimals to fractions). Last, students will apply the order of operations to interpret and solve simple algebraic equations.

This year, third graders will build a stronger understanding of division. This guided lesson uses the repeated subtraction strategy as a way of teaching division. The lesson shows how division problems can be solved by repeatedly subtracting the same number (the divisor). Not only does this help students solve division problems, but it also builds a conceptual understanding of division. For more practice, check out the suggested division worksheets.

Students are going to take a deeper dive into fractions in this unit! Learners will apply previous understanding of finding equivalent fractions, and converting between fractions and mixed numbers to work with fractions in more complex ways. Students will continue to use visual models to learn and practice adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.

Students will have a basic understanding of fractions coming into 4th grade. In this unit students will get to explore new ways of representing fractions, including in a set of data, on number lines and using area models. Students will use their knowledge of fractions to compare fractions with like and unlike denominators.

In this unit, students will build on their understanding of decimals by working with numbers that include decimals in tenths, hundredths and thousandths place. Adding, subtracting and rounding with decimals will enable them to apply the strategies in new ways and enhance their understanding of the base-ten number system.

Representing data on graphs makes math visual and involves some creativity and design. Plotting data using fractional units takes their learning one step further. Also in this unit, students learn to measure using both traditional units (like inches, feet and yards) and metric units, and how to convert measurements within each system. The concept of measurement gets two dimensional when students explore measuring and working with angles.

Fractions can be challenging when taught in an abstract way. That’s why this unit invites learners to engage with fractions and mixed numbers in very visual and concrete ways using number lines, tape diagrams and area models. Students will learn different strategies to practice identifying and generating equivalent fractions.

Multiplication facts can be tricky for students, but giving them plenty of practice can familiarize them with these numbers. From tables to questions to interactive games, there are many different ways that students can practice fact families. In this guided lesson, students will practice one-digit multiplication facts, preparing them for higher-level math skills later on. When they're comfortable with these facts, other math problems will become a breeze. Practice now!

Multiplication is essentially repeated addition, or growing numbers by doubling, tripling, quadrupling, and so on. This unit presents mental models and strategies that help students learn and review the concept of multiplication. Students explore multiplication using arrays, partial products, doubling methods and the standard algorithm to solve numerical and word problems. Students will multiply whole numbers and simple decimals by base ten exponents (i.e. .3 x 103).

In this lesson, kids are given different strategies for finding the sum of two numbers. Addition strategies such as these help third graders gain a deeper understanding of, and fluency with, this operation. The lesson features guided instruction and plenty of practice problems to apply what is being learned. For even more practice, try our third grade addition worksheets recommended to accompany this lesson.

Teaching kids additional subtraction strategies is one way to boost math fluency and comprehension. This guided lesson, designed by our team of curriculum experts, teaches various strategies to find the difference, and provides exercises that help kids to practice these strategies on their own. For more opportunities to practice, try downloading and printing the third grade subtraction worksheets recommended by our curriculum team.

Teaching number sense gives kids a deeper understanding of our number system, which will in turn prepare them for the algebraic equations to come in the upper elementary grades and middle school. You can create a strong foundational knowledge of number sense with this guided lesson, which provides third graders with targeted instruction and exercises designed by our team of curriculum experts.

Learning how to represent numerical information is a key part of the third grade math curriculum. This lesson in data provides guided instruction designed by our team of curriculum experts and teachers to present this concept in an engaging way. Not only that, but helpful exercises help kids to see the practical applicaton of these skills in the real world.

Geometry in third grade introduces kids to the idea that shapes have different categories (rectangles, rhombuses, etc..) attributes (four-sided, etc...) and areas of different values. This lesson, designed by our curriculum experts, provides the guided instruction and practice that third graders need to conceptualize shapes in a deeper way. For more practice, download and print the third grade geometry worksheets recommended as part of this lesson.

In this 5th grade division unit, students will take their understanding to the next level by applying division skills with multi-digit numbers. Students will also begin to explore division with decimals and practice using estimation to check the reasonableness of their answers. Last, students will use their knowledge of the base ten number system to divide decimals by base ten exponents (i.e. .4 ➗ 104).

Understanding our base-ten number system is the foundation for many skills to come. In this unit, students will add on to their understanding of place value and extend to the millions! They will also learn how to read, write and order larger numbers, in addition to decimals to the tenths and hundredths.

This guided lesson takes kids on an exploration of the world of measurement, from weight to volume to recording data. Commonly, third graders have a difficult time applying math skills to real-world problems, but this lesson, designed by our curriculum experts, will help provide important context for measurement skills. For even more printable practice, consider downloading and printing the recommended measurement worksheets.

This geometry unit engages students in analytical thinking as they learn about the properties of two dimensional figures and consider the different ways they can be sorted based on those properties. Students also learn to plot points, lines and shapes on a coordinate graph.

Understanding data and graphs is a critical skill that we use on a regular basis to read news articles, reports and other media to interpret information. In this unit, students investigate data collection, data organization and visual representation in different kinds of graphics (i.e. line plots, pie charts). Learners also apply concepts of probability and statistics to analyze data.

Calculating the volume of rectangular prisms is a new skill that is introduced in 5th grade. Students will apply mathematical formulas to find the volume of different kinds of figures and also determine the volume of a figure composed of two connected rectangular prisms. Learners will also work with other kinds of measurement when they make larger or smaller versions of figures (to scale) and learn to convert measurements.