Everyday Mathematics Grade 3, Unit 2: Number Stories and Arrays
In this unit, your child solves number stories, or word problems, including ones that take two steps, and learns to see multiplication as equal groups and arrays. It builds on the adding and subtracting from the first unit on time and measuring, and it leads into a unit on operations, where multiplication facts and missing numbers take center stage.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
What is my child learning in Unit 2?
- Seeing multiplication as equal groups, so 4 x 6 means 4 groups of 6, and showing it with an array of rows and columns. Learn more: Multiplication as equal groups
- Deciding whether a story about bags, rows, or teams calls for multiplication or division, then writing an equation, a number sentence, to match. Learn more: Multiplying and dividing in story problems
- Solving two-step number stories with all four operations and using a letter to stand for the unknown number. Learn more: Story problems with two steps
Sample questions to try together
These are real questions from our practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
Hana has 3 plates with 5 strawberries on each plate. She writes 3 × 5. What does 3 × 5 tell her?
- How many strawberries there are in all
- How many strawberries are on each plate
- How many plates she has
How you can help
- Point out arrays around the house, such as an egg carton or a muffin tin, and ask your child to name the rows, the columns, and the total as a multiplication fact.
- Tell a quick story at the store: 3 packs of yogurt with 4 cups in each. Ask how many cups in all, and whether that story needs multiplying or dividing.
- Make up a two-step story at snack time, like 'We had 15 crackers, ate 6, then opened a pack of 10. How many now?' and talk through both steps.
Where kids can get stuck
- Adding instead of multiplying, writing 4 + 5 for an array of 4 rows of 5 rather than 4 x 5.
- Choosing an operation from one key word, such as dividing whenever a story says 'each,' even when it needs multiplying.
- Stopping after the first step of a two-step story and reporting that number as the final answer.
Practice makes perfect
Bobby's Math Club has practice problems that adapt to your child’s level, each with a detailed explanation and an easy-to-follow video, so your child can build confidence in these skills one step at a time.
Words your child will hear
- number story
- A short story with numbers in it that ends with a math question.
- equal groups
- Groups that each have the same number of things in them.
- array
- Objects arranged in equal rows and columns, like eggs in a carton.
- row
- A line of things going across, from left to right.
- column
- A line of things going up and down.
- multiply
- To find the total of equal groups, like 3 groups of 4 making 12.
- product
- The answer to a multiplication problem.
- equation
- A number sentence with an equal sign showing two sides are the same amount.
- unknown
- The missing number in a problem, shown by a box, a question mark, or a letter.
Want to help your child master multiplication and word problems?
In Bobby's Math Club, your child practices these skills at just the right level, with a hint when they need one, a clear explanation after every question, and kid-friendly videos. Unlimited practice is free.
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Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
Which math standards does Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 2 cover?
Everyday Mathematics Grade 3 Unit 2 covers these math standards. Each one links to what it means, sample questions, and teaching strategies.
For teachers: Unit names and order vary between editions and districts, so your school’s own materials have the exact sequence. Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow.