Common Core Mathematics Unit Lesson Sequence
3rd Grade Unit 1: Place Value Strategies for Arithmetic
Disclaimer:
The following sample unit is intended to provide an example of a possible flow of instruction. Consider this a work in progress. As a sample instructional
plan, it should invite discussion and development. It is not intended to be prescriptive, only suggestive. It may provide ideas and guidance in the
development of conceptual understanding through a sample sequence of lessons. This UNIT can be adapted, modified, expanded, delivered as-is, or not
used at all. Lessons are not time bound, they may extend beyond a day. It simply provides an example unit of instruction which corporates:
 Integration of the 8 mathematical practices for mathematics
 Investigative tasks
 Formative assessment and performance assessments
 In this unit, you will find that specific standards are NOT listed within each lesson, as lessons integrate multiple standards to better
address conceptual understanding.
Previous Concepts
Grade Level Standard(s)
Central to Lesson
CLUSTER HEADINGS & STANDARDS:
Use place value understanding and properties
of operations to perform
multi‐digit arithmetic.
3.NBT.1 Use place value understanding to round
whole numbers to the nearest 10 or
100.
3.NBT.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000
using strategies and algorithms based
on place value, properties of operations, and/or
the relationship between addition
and subtraction.
3.NBT.3 Multiply one‐digit whole numbers by
multiples of 10 in the range 10–90
(e.g., 9 × 80, 5 × 60) using strategies based on
place value and properties of
operations.
Upcoming Concept
Represent and solve problems involving
multiplication and division.
3.OA.1
3.OA.2
3.OA.3
3.OA.4
Represent and interpret data.
3.MD.3
3.MD.4
Previous Concepts
Grade Level Standard(s)
Central to Lesson
Represent and interpret data.
3.MD.3 Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled
bar graph to represent a data set
with several categories. Solve one‐ and two‐step
“how many more” and “how many
less” problems using information presented in
scaled bar graphs. For example, draw a
bar graph in which each square in the bar graph
might represent 5 pets.
3.MD.4 Generate measurement data by
measuring lengths using rulers marked with
halves and fourths of an inch. Show the data by
making a line plot, where the
horizontal scale is marked off in appropriate
units – whole numbers, halves, or
Upcoming Concept
Lesson
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Title of Lesson & Description
Three Other Ways – This provides an opportunity to
decompose numbers in multiple ways. This will help them
easily manipulate numbers as needed in computation, as
well as understand the value of digits in numbers when
rounding.
Round to the Nearest Ten – Students practice estimation
and rounding skills through engaging in a card game.
Round to the Nearest Hundred - Students practice
estimation and rounding skills through engaging in a card
game.
Round Up or Down? – Students must decide where
numbers belong on a number line.
3 Digit Addition Split – Students solve 3 digit addition
problems by decomposing the addends into hundreds, tens
and ones before adding.
Happy to Eat Healthy – Students use a menu to decide
which items to purchase given a specific amount of money
to spend.
Field Day Fun – Student solve addition and subtraction
problems.
I Have a Story, You Have a Story – Students write their
own story problem.
“The Information Station” – Students create different
graphs after collecting data.
It’s a Data Party - Lesson and/or Performance Task
What’s Your Favorite? – Students survey their
classmates to collect data and then display data using
pictographs and Venn diagrams.
Cut and Plot! – Students measure varying string
lengths and create a line plot.
Materials & Resources
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 15-20)
K-5MathTeachingResources.com
 Playing Cards (0-9)
K-5MathTeachingResources.com
 Playing Cards (0-9)
K-5MathTeachingResources.com
K-MathTeachingResources.com
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 70-77)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 78-81)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 82 - 87)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 88-91)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 92-95)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 96-102)
Georgia Department of Education:
Unit 1: Numbers and Operations in Base Ten (p. 103-106)