ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (3) 15 :

15 ) Evaluate a design solution (e.g., flood barriers, wind resistant roofs, lightning rods) that reduces the impact of a weather-related hazard.*

[MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

The goal of this lesson is for students to use their knowledge of hurricanes to design and build a hurricane-proof roof for Piggy Sue, The Three Little Pig's cousin.  She has just moved to town and she needs a house that will withstand a hurricane.

Students will test various materials and designs to determine the best design for her roof.  Students will work in groups and use the engineering design method to design and build their roofs.  Each group will have a budget to purchase materials for their roofs.

This lesson was created as part of the 2016 NASA STEM Standards of Practice Project, a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (3) 8 :

8. Determine and justify solutions for two-step word problems using the four operations and write an equation with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Determine reasonableness of answers using number sense, context, mental computation, and estimation strategies including rounding.

[MA2019] (3) 10 :

10. Identify the nearest 10 or 100 when rounding whole numbers, using place value understanding.

[MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

This lesson is a hands-on, game-based lesson. It should be part of a larger unit of study on number sense, estimation, and/or place value. The lesson involves students in a game-based activity which gives them a concrete understanding of the relationship between number values, place value, and the accepted mathematical rule for rounding numbers.

This is a College- and Career-Ready Standards showcase lesson plan.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (5) 16 :

16. Demonstrate comprehension of varied literary and informational texts by utilizing its content when discussing or writing in response to the text.

[ELA2021] (4) 14 :

14. Demonstrate comprehension of literary and informational text by utilizing its content when discussing or writing in response to the text.

[ELA2021] (3) 18 :

18. Demonstrate content knowledge built during independent reading of informational and literary texts by participating in content-specific discussions with peers and/or through writing.

[MA2019] (5) 8 :

8. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationships between addition/subtraction and multiplication/division; relate the strategy to a written method, and explain the reasoning used.

a. Use concrete models and drawings to solve problems with decimals to hundredths.

b. Solve problems in a real-world context with decimals to hundredths.

[MA2019] (4) 10 :

10. Use place value strategies to fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers and connect strategies to the standard algorithm.

[MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

[DLIT] (3) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (5) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

[DLIT] (4) 5 :

R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

This Digital Breakout is a perfect way to enhance a unit of study with animal standards for grades 3-5. It can be used before or after a unit of study or a field trip to the Birmingham Zoo. Students will work creatively and collaboratively to solve academic puzzles to unlock an answer. Academic puzzles are centered around a variety of Course of Study standards that engage students through the Breakout process. This activity can be done as a whole group for students that are not familiar with the Digital Breakout process. This activity can be done in small groups in grades 2-5 with students that are familiar with the Digital Breakout process.  

This Learning Activity was created in partnership with the Birmingham Zoo. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

In this interactive activity, students will be led through steps to add multi-digit numbers using the strategy of regrouping, or carrying, a group of tens. There are teaching activities as well as practice activities available. A handout that reviews the steps taught during the activity can be printed. After utilizing this resource, the students can complete the short quiz to assess their understanding. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

In this interactive activity, students will be led through steps to add and subtract multi-digit numbers without regrouping. There are teaching activities as well as practice activities available. The practice activities can be printed. After utilizing this resource, the students can complete the short quiz to assess their understanding.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (3) 11 :

11. Use various strategies to add and subtract fluently within 1000.

Becoming comfortable with two-digit and three-digit numbers is an important skill in third grade. Students will master addition and subtraction problems within one-thousand. How students learn to understand addition and subtraction is very important.