Aiken County Public Schools
Division of Instruction and Accountability
Grade 3 Math Writing Task
Content
Standard(s)
(What students
will write.)
Corresponding
CCSS Writing
Standards
(How students
will write.)
Title: Friendship Bracelets
Math Standard:
3.OA.3 Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in
situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurement quantities, e.g., by using
drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the
problem.
Writing Standard:
W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with
reasons.
b. Provide reasons that support the opinion.
Learning
Objective
Explain in writing how to use multiplication to solve word problems involving
various strategies.
Essential
Question
How are properties of operations used as strategies to multiply and divide?
Source 1: Read Tennessee Lesson Plan
Stimuli
http://www.readtennessee.org/math/teachers/k3_common_core_math_standards/third_grade/operations_algebraic_thinking/3oac7.asp
x
Source 2: LearnZillion – Multiply and divide within 100
http://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/396-multiply-and-divide-within-100
Source 3: Assorted manipulatives (i.e.: Unifix cubes or cubes, centimeter grid
papers and/or counters) (3)
Differentiation Options
Teacher Resources for Background Information
Review Read Tennessee lesson plan for supplemental
materials and/or ideas. (Source 1)
Teacher
Directions
Whole Group
1. Select a LearnZillion on-line activity to reinforce the
skills being taught. (1)
(Source 2)
2. Display the writing task.
Independent/ Collaborative Work
1. Allow students time to complete the task and writing
prompt.
Allow students to
work individually, or in
pairs, using the
LearnZillion online
activities to reinforce
the skills required
before whole group
instruction.
(1)
Building for a better tomorrow – one child at a time.
SJS/MH
LE
Aiken County Public Schools
Division of Instruction and Accountability
Whole Group
1. Provide students an opportunity to reflect in writing
upon the Essential Question of the day. (2)

How are properties of operations used as strategies
to multiply and divide?
2. Help students formulate a connection between the
Essential Question and the task performed.
Asia bought 5 pieces of purple string and some pink string
to make a friendship bracelet. The total cost to make the
bracelet was $24. Each piece of string costs $2.
Task
Writing Prompt
Step 1: Use various multiplication strategies to determine
the number of pink strings purchased. (3)
Step 2: Calculate the amount of pink and purple string
needed to make 3 extra friendship bracelets for her
friends. (4)
(2) Allow
students to
choose between
responding verbally or
responding in writing
to provide students
with choice.
Provide
manipulatives for
students who require a
concrete
representation to
determine the number
of pink strings
purchased.
(3)
Increase the rigor of
the task by adding an
additional color string
to the task that costs
$3.
(4)
Create a journal entry justifying how you arrived at the cost of the 3 extra friendship
bracelets. Provide specific reasons and calculations from step one to support your
opinion. Use pictures, words, and/or equations to explain your thinking.
Building for a better tomorrow – one child at a time.
SJS/MH
LE
Aiken County Public Schools
Division of Instruction and Accountability
Grade 3 Math Writing Task
Student Page
Task
Asia bought 5 pieces of purple string and some pink string to make a
friendship bracelet. The total cost to make the bracelet was $24. Each piece of
string costs $2.
Step 1: Use various multiplication strategies to determine the number of pink
strings purchased. (3)
Step 2: Calculate the amount of pink and purple string needed to make 3 extra
friendship bracelets for her friends. (4)
Writing Prompt
Create a journal entry justifying how you arrived at the cost of the 3 extra
friendship bracelets. Provide specific reasons and calculations from step one
to support your opinion. Use pictures, words, and/or equations to explain
your thinking.
Building for a better tomorrow – one child at a time.
SJS/MH
LE