Engaging Start to a Grade 3 Mathematics Lesson on Number Sense
Introduction: The Number Adventure
Objective:
To take students on a fun and exciting journey that introduces them to the concept of number sense, laying a solid foundation for understanding numbers, their values, and relationships.
Materials Needed:
- A large, colorful treasure map (can be drawn on poster board)
- Fake gold coins or gems (chocolate coins work well)
- Number cards (0-20)
- Markers and colored pencils
Hook: The Treasure Map
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The Setup
- Begin by gathering the students in a circle and presenting the colorful treasure map.
- Explain that the class is about to embark on an exciting adventure to find hidden treasure! But first, they’ll need to solve some Number Puzzles.
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The Story
- Share a brief adventure narrative:
"Once upon a time in a land filled with numbers, there lived a wise old owl who guarded a treasure. Only those with strong number sense could find it! Today, we'll help our friends, the woodland creatures, solve their number puzzles so we can discover the treasure together!"
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Introduction to Number Sense
- Explain that number sense means understanding numbers, how they work together, and why they matter in our daily lives.
- Ask students to share what they think about numbers. Questions to guide their thoughts:
- What do you notice about numbers?
- Why do you think they are important?
Activity: Number Challenges
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Divide Into Teams
- Organize the students into small teams of 3-4. Each team is now a group of adventurers looking for treasure!
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Treasure Map Activity
- Each marked spot on the treasure map corresponds to a number-related challenge (e.g., addition, subtraction, counting).
- As teams reach each spot, they must complete the number puzzle to collect their gold coins.
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Examples of Number Challenges:
- Spot 1: "If you have 5 apples and pick 3 more, how many apples do you have?"
- Spot 2: "Count all the coins you have gathered so far!"
- Spot 3: "What comes before and after 12?"
- Each correct answer earns the team a piece of treasure!
Closing: Share and Reflect
- After all teams complete the challenges, gather the students again and have each team share what they learned about numbers during their adventure.
- Conclude with a recap that emphasizes the excitement of numbers and their importance in discovering new things.
Transition to Lesson
- Transition smoothly into the main lesson, where students will dive deeper into specific number concepts emphasizing engagement and exploration.
Encouragement:
“Remember, adventurers, the more we practice with numbers, the easier it will be to find treasure in the world around us! Let’s continue on our journey!”
This creative approach not only makes learning about number sense enjoyable but also encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and effective communication among third graders.