Third Grade Math Learning Center Activities

Math learning centers provide third graders a fun way to learn new math concepts.

Mathematics for third graders is focused on concepts such as estimating, measurement, probability, money, place value and data analysis. Math centers set up with either daily or weekly math activities provide students a hands-on experience of these concepts and present them in ways that are engaging and entertaining for third graders.

Estimation Center

In third grade, children are learning to think about numbers in terms of probability and they're also learning how to analyze data collected. Estimation is part of this learning in that students must guess at the end result when data is insufficient to provide an answer. Create a station where each week students work on estimation skills. Place an estimation jar out each week. Place small objects like jellybeans or larger objects like cotton balls into the jar. Students write an estimate and write a sentence or paragraph about how they came up with their guess. At the end of the week, count the items together to see which methods used by the students to estimate were successful and which were not. Another option is to set a container out with a single item next to it and ask students to estimate how much of that item would fit in the container.

Measurement Center

Measurements and measuring are concepts third grade students explore in more depth than simple identification. Use measurement boxes as an activity center to expand on these skills. Create a measurement box center by putting several different size items in a shoe box. Provide tools for students to measure each item and vary the method each week. For example, ask students to measure the length of a variety of items one week and provide a ruler or measuring tape. The next week have the students measure the weight of a series of items and provide a scale.

Money Center

In third grade, children learn to sort and add different denominations of money. Math centers that require these skills allow students to practice and explore these concepts. For example, there are 293 ways to change a dollar bill. Challenge students to write down a couple of ways to do this and see how many ways the class can think up. A play store is another way to teach adding and sorting money of different denominations. Students have to total items purchased and then provide the right amount to the classroom cashier.

Data Analysis Center

As part of learning data analysis, third graders must use graphing skills. Create a center that challenges third graders to gather and sort information into a graph. Graph-of-the-day or -week is a center activity where students use previously gathered data and put it into a graph. In the morning, set out a sheet that asks for something like the students' favorite subject. Copy the sheet when all students have answered, and hand it out to each student. Students must then sort the information given to determine the favorite subjects listed as well as how many students like each.

References

• The Teachers Cafe: Math Centers Ideas
• Teachers.net: Math Centers (Part 1)
• The Math Learning Center: Bridges Grade 3