3rd Grade
What We Are Learning: March 2025
In March, we will continue our units of learning.
Math
- How do mathematicians:
- show fractions greater than 1 on a number line?
- compare fractions?
- find equivalent fractions?
Reading & Writing
- How do readers compare and contrast stories?
- How do writers use descriptive details to tell a story?
Social Studies
- What is the culture of Mexico?
Science
- How can we make weather observations and predictions?
- What is climate?
Home Connection
Finding Fractions That Are the Same
Sometimes, fractions look different, but they're really worth the same amount. These are called "equivalent fractions." We can use number lines to find them!
How Number Lines Help
Imagine two number lines that are the same length. We can split them into different numbers of equal parts. For example, one number line might be split into halves, and the other into quarters.
If we color in one-half on the first number line, we can see how many quarters that is on the second line. It's two-quarters! So, one-half and two-quarters are equivalent.
More Examples
- We can split number lines into thirds, sixths, eighths, or any number of equal parts.
- By lining up the number lines, we can see which fractions match up.
- If we multiply or divide the top and bottom numbers of a fraction by the same number, we get an equivalent fraction.
Using Number Lines to Solve Problems
The video showed how to use number lines to:
- Find missing numbers in equivalent fractions.
- See which fractions are equal to each other.
Watch this video to find out more.
Fractions and Number Lines
Fractions are like pieces of a whole thing, like a candy bar cut into equal parts. They have two numbers: a top number that tells how many pieces you have, and a bottom number that tells how many total pieces there were.
Sometimes, the top number is bigger than the bottom number. This means you have more than one whole. These are called improper fractions.
We can use number lines to show fractions. We divide the number line into equal parts, just like cutting a candy bar. If the bottom number of the fraction is 3, we divide each space on the number line into three parts.
To find a fraction on the number line, just count the parts. If you have five-thirds (5/3), you count five parts from zero.
For example, imagine a number line divided into fourths. You can count one-fourth, two-fourths, three-fourths, and so on.
In real life, if you walk three-fourths of a mile and then two-fourths, you walked a total of five-fourths of a mile. On a number line, you would count five parts.
Important Dates
-
Parent-Teacher Conferences, No School
There will be no school on March 6th because it is parent-teacher conference day. This is a time when your parents can meet with your teachers to talk about how you are doing in school. -
Parent Association Meeting and Family Fun Event
On March 21st at 6:00pm, there will be a meeting for the parent association. After the meeting, there will be a fun event for families. -
Eid al-Fitr, No School
There will be no school on March 31st because it is Eid al-Fitr, an important holiday.
Contact Your Teacher
307: Ms. Zheng: qzheng@ps343.org Text Ms. Zheng
307: Ms. Selph aselph@ps343.org Text Ms. Selph
308: Ms. Joseph: cjoseph@ps343.org Text Ms. Joseph
308: Ms. Price: bprice@ps343.org Text Ms. Price
309: Ms. Estin: destin@ps343.org Text Ms. Estin