Ms. Michielli, Math, 3rd

Dear Families,

We are excited to begin Unit 2 in i-Ready Math! In our first unit, students built a strong foundation with place value, multi-digit numbers, rounding, and addition and subtraction. Now, we are moving into one of the most exciting areas of third-grade math: multiplication and division!

In Unit 2, students will use i-Ready Classroom Mathematics to build their understanding of multiplication and division through models, patterns, real-world situations, and problem-solving strategies.

🌟 Our Essential Question

How can we use multiplication and division to solve problems and understand relationships between numbers?

✖️➗ What Will We Be Working On?

During Unit 2, your child will work on several key concepts:

👥 Understanding Multiplication & Division

Students will:

• Understand multiplication as equal groups.
• Understand division as sharing or separating into equal groups.
• Use arrays, drawings, and models to represent multiplication and division.
• Connect multiplication and division to real-world situations.
• Explain what a multiplication or division equation means.

🔗 Exploring the Relationship Between Multiplication & Division

Students will learn that multiplication and division are related operations.

For example:

4 × 6 = 24
6 × 4 = 24
24 ÷ 4 = 6
24 ÷ 6 = 4

Students will use these fact families to understand how multiplication and division are connected.

🧩 Patterns & Strategies

Students will explore patterns that can help them solve multiplication facts more efficiently.

We will practice strategies such as:

• Using known facts to solve unknown facts.
• Looking for patterns in multiplication tables.
• Using properties of multiplication.
• Breaking numbers apart to make facts easier.
• Using multiples of 10 to solve problems.

❓ Finding Unknown Numbers

Students will practice finding missing numbers in equations.

For example:

___ × 5 = 30

or

42 ÷ ___ = 7

Students will use what they know about multiplication and division to figure out the missing number.

📝 Solving Word Problems

Students will apply their multiplication and division skills to real-world problems.

They will practice:

1. Reading the problem carefully.
2. Figuring out what the problem is asking.
3. Choosing multiplication or division.
4. Solving using a strategy.
5. Explaining and checking their thinking.

📋 Weekly Quizzes

Students will have a short math quiz each week covering the concepts learned that week. These quizzes will help us monitor student understanding and identify areas where students may need additional practice or support.

🏠 How Can You Help at Home?

There are many easy ways to practice multiplication and division outside of school!

✖️ Practice Facts

Spend just a few minutes each day practicing multiplication and division facts.

🍎 Make Equal Groups

Use everyday objects such as cereal, toys, coins, or snacks to make equal groups.

For example:
“We have 20 crackers. Can we make 4 equal groups? How many will be in each group?”

🧩 Build Arrays

Use LEGO bricks, buttons, cereal pieces, or other objects to create arrays and write the matching multiplication equation.

🔗 Practice Fact Families

Practice related multiplication and division facts together.

4 × 6 = 24
6 × 4 = 24
24 ÷ 4 = 6
24 ÷ 6 = 4

💬 Ask Your Child to Explain

Instead of only asking, “What's the answer?”, try asking:

“How did you figure that out?”
“What strategy did you use?”
“Can you show me another way?”

Explaining their thinking helps students develop a deeper understanding of mathematics!

📚 Grade 3 Math Standards

This unit supports several Grade 3 Common Core Math Standards, including:

• 3.OA.A.1–4 — Understanding and solving multiplication and division problems.
• 3.OA.B.5–6 — Using properties and the relationship between multiplication and division.
• 3.OA.C.7 — Developing multiplication and division fluency.
• 3.OA.D.8–9 — Solving word problems and identifying patterns.
• 3.NBT.A.3 — Multiplying one-digit numbers by multiples of 10.

🌟 Our Goal for Unit 2

By the end of this unit, students will have a strong understanding of what multiplication and division mean, how the two operations are connected, and how to use models, patterns, and strategies to solve problems.

Our goal is not just for students to memorize facts, but to understand WHY multiplication and division work and feel confident explaining their mathematical thinking.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we build strong, confident mathematicians! ✖️➗✨

Happy Math-ing!
Ms. Michielli