As part of our third grade math curriculum the students keep track of each day that we are in school. The number of the day is a great way to incorporate and practice skills that are part of our third grade standards, and to add math extensions to challenge the children. It also allows children to express their understanding at their own level. For example, on the 90th day of school, we had children make up subtraction equations that equaled 90. Some students came up with 95-5 = 90 and others wrote more complex equations such as 220-130= 90.
This year we were introduced to math icons which have been a great addition to our number of the day activity. Like the icons of depth and complexity that we use in language arts and social studies, these icons help students deepen their thinking and sharpen their analytical skills. In math, in particular, the icons help students see that when they are solving problems, they are using conceptual tools that can be used across a variety of different math topics.