Descriptions of the Mathematics Learning Standard Grades 3–4

Below are descriptions for the New York State Mathematics Learning Standard and activities for addressing each strand with your child.

Number Sense and Operations

Students understand numbers, multiple ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers, and number systems. They also understand meanings of operations and procedures, and how they relate to one another. They compute accurately and make reasonable estimates.

Take advantage of everyday situations with fractions and decimals. At dinnertime, ask your child to serve the family using fractions. For example, one person might want 1/4 of the meatloaf or the pizza, while someone else may want only 1/8. Have your child prepare the portions according to your mathematical directions. How many portions will there be if the meatloaf or pizza is divided into fourths or eighths? What happens if one person wants 1/4 of the pizza and another person wants 1/5?

Algebra

Students will represent and analyze algebraically a wide variety of problem solving situations. They also perform algebraic procedures accurately and recognize, use, and represent algebraically patterns, relations, and functions.

Use this activity to get your child thinking about variables and the relationships between numbers. Ask your child to determine a rule that represents the relationship between two ages of people in your family. For example, your child might be twice your age divided by three. Then ask your child whether that relationship will always be true. If not, find a different rule that will remain true over the years.

Geometry

Students use visualization and spatial reasoning to analyze characteristics and properties of geometric shapes. They identify and justify geometric relationships, formally and informally and apply transformations and symmetry to analyze problem solving situations. They also apply coordinate geometry to analyze problem solving situations.

To help your child identify and classify geometric figures, have him or her make a theme collage. For example, ask your child to find different examples of triangles in magazines and newspapers and then put them together in a poster. The theme could be specific: triangles, quadrilaterals, or circles; or more general: polygons or three-dimensional objects.

Measurement

Students determine what can be measured and how, using appropriate methods and formulas. They use units to give meaning to measurements and understand that all measurement contains error and are able to determine its significance. They also develop strategies for estimating measurements.

Help your child to understand and estimate units of measure. Start by encouraging your child to establish benchmarks for estimating temperatures. How hot is an 80 degree day? Do you need a jacket if it's 50 degrees outside? What can you expect if it's 30 degrees outside? Once you have worked on temperatures, move to other measurements such as height and weight.

Statistics and Probability

Students collect, organize, display, and analyze data. They make predictions that are based upon data analysis and understand and apply concepts of probability.

Playing games with your child will reinforce the concepts of probability and chance. Encourage your child to play games that use spinners, number cubes, and cards. When children want a certain outcome (for example, "I hope I roll a 2!"), talk about the likelihood of the outcome actually happening. For example, the likelihood that your child will roll a two on a six-sided number cube is 1/6. (Two is one of six possible outcomes.)