Third Grade

Use a deck of cards to study math addition and multiplication  facts.  Number the Jacks as 10,, Kings as 11 and Queens as 12.   Then time the student using your microwave timer or a stopwatch to see how many facts they can solve in three minutes.  Start with the ones, then twos etc.  One pile is full of cards face down and then an ace or 1 is showing.  The child flips the cards and solves the problems.  Any unknown problem is set aside and reviewed after the time is up.  Once a child can do all the cards in three minutes (53 problems) have them move up to the twos tables.  After they work all the way through to the twelve's create two equal piles and they can call this scramble.  Flip one card form the left and add or multiply it to the right one.  Then leave that same left card up and flip the right card and solve.  Then flip to a new left and solve.  Then a new right and solve. 

	Have your child pay the bills with cash and count the change they receive when you order fast food or make small purchases.
	Open a savings account and have your child keep track in a book of deposits and withdrawals.
	Encourage your children to talk about elapsed time especially when reading a TV guide or establishing computer time.

	Scramble spelling words and have the child unscramble them.  This works best at the end of the week when they know the words well.
	Write the words with boxes around them to create a visual aid.
	Write words on lined paper places sideways so that each letter fits between two blue lines.  This also give a visual clue.
	Make a flashcard matching game with pictures on one card and the word on another.  This is a lot like the game memory.
	Write a silly song which includes all your spelling words.
	Put your spelling words in alphabetical order.

	Encourage your child to write holiday greeting cards or birthday cards to relatives.
	Have students make holiday menus to place on the table.
	Encourage nightly diary or journal writing.
	Have your child write his/her favorite recipes and create their own cookbook.  Add to it every year!