Vacation with My Nani Maa
Class 3 · Mathematics
6 ideas in Class 3 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Adding and Subtracting Single-Digit Numbers
Part of: Basic Addition and Subtraction
Addition combines two groups to find the total. Subtraction removes items from a group to find how many remain. For example, if you have 7 apples and add 5 more, you now have 12 apples. If you had 12 apples and gave away 5, you have 7 left.
Why it matters. These skills are the foundation for all arithmetic. Without understanding how to combine and separate groups of objects, children cannot solve real problems like sharing snacks, counting allowance, or checking if they have enough toys.
Try it in two minutes
- Gather 15 coins or buttons. Ask: If you have 7 and I give you 5 more, how many do you have now? Count together and write 7 + 5 = 12.
- From the same 12 items, ask: If we put 5 away, how many are left? Remove them together and write 12 − 5 = 7.
- Repeat with different numbers: 6 + 4, 8 + 3, then backwards: 10 − 3, 11 − 4.
Try at home. Play a dice game: roll two dice, add the numbers, and check by counting. Then take one number away and subtract. Keep score to see how many you can do in 5 minutes.
Adding Two-Digit Numbers Using Number Lines and Tens Frames
Part of: Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction
A number line is a line with numbers marked in order. A tens frame is a box divided into 10 parts used to show groups of ten. Both tools help you see how numbers work. To add 25 + 14, you can jump from 25 along the line to reach 39, or split 14 into 10 and 4 to add them separately.
Why it matters. Visual tools make large numbers easier to handle. Without these strategies, a child has to memorize many facts. With a number line or tens frame, they can figure out any sum using a method that works.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a simple number line from 0 to 40 on paper. Mark 25 with a dot.
- Ask: to add 14, would you jump by 10 first or by 4 first? Jump 10 to reach 35, then jump 4 to reach 39.
- Try the same with 23 + 12. Mark 23, jump 10 (to 33), then jump 2 (to 35).
- Now use a tens frame: draw 4 boxes in a row (each box holds 10). For 25 + 14, fill 2 full boxes and 5 more, then add 1 full box and 4 more.
Try at home. Give your child problems like 34 + 13 and ask them to draw the jumps on a number line. Praise the method, not just the answer.
Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers Using Number Lines and Tens Frames
Part of: Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction
Subtraction removes a quantity. On a number line, you jump backward from the larger number toward the smaller one. In a tens frame, you erase groups of ten and ones. To solve 45 − 12, you can jump back 10 steps (to 35), then back 2 more steps (to 33).
Why it matters. Subtraction comes up constantly: finding how many are left, how much more is needed, and comparing quantities. Using tools helps a child think through these situations logically instead of guessing.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a number line from 20 to 50. Mark 45 with a dot.
- Ask: to subtract 12, would you jump back by 10 first or by 2 first? Jump back 10 to reach 35, then jump back 2 to reach 33.
- Try with 50 − 15. Mark 50, jump back 10 (to 40), then jump back 5 (to 35).
- Now use tens frames: show 45 (4 full frames, 5 extra). Remove 1 full frame and 2 extra. What is left?
Try at home. Ask: if you had 38 sweets and gave 13 away, how many are left? Let them draw and solve.
Skip Counting on a Number Line
Part of: Skip Counting and Patterns
Skip counting means jumping by equal amounts instead of counting by ones. For example, counting by 5s goes 5, 10, 15, 20. Counting by 10s goes 10, 20, 30, 40. On a number line, each jump lands on a new number. Skip counting helps see patterns and adds large numbers quickly.
Why it matters. Skip counting makes mental maths faster and reveals how numbers are connected. It builds the foundation for multiplication and helps children handle money (coins of 5 and 10), groups of objects, and time.
Try it in two minutes
- Show a paper number line from 0 to 50. Count aloud by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50. Point to each number.
- Ask: where do we land if we skip-count by 5 starting from 7? Jump from 7 by 5s: 12, 17, 22, 27.
- Now try counting by 10s from 0: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. Point and say each number.
- Ask: starting from 3, count by 10s. Land on 13, 23, 33, 43.
Try at home. Count out loud by 5s while walking or driving. See if your child can join in or predict the next number.
Solving Addition and Subtraction Word Problems
Part of: Word Problems and Real-World Applications
A word problem tells a story with numbers. To solve it, you must first understand the story. Does it ask for a total (add) or what is left or the difference (subtract)? Then use what you know about numbers to find the answer. For example, 'Maya has 18 stickers. She gives 7 to her friend. How many does she have left?' This asks for what remains, so you subtract: 18 − 7 = 11.
Why it matters. Real maths is always in stories. In life, you count groups, share items, spend money, and check balances. Understanding word problems teaches children to see where maths appears and use it to make decisions.
Try it in two minutes
- Read a simple story: 'Ravi has 12 toy blocks. His mother gives him 8 more. How many does he have now?'
- Ask: does Ravi get more blocks or lose blocks? (gets more, so add)
- Ask: what number do we start with? (12) What do we add? (8) What is 12 + 8? (20)
- Try another: 'Ravi had 20 blocks. He lost 5 in the park. How many are left?' Ask the same questions (loses, start with 20, subtract 5, answer is 15).
Try at home. Tell stories with household items: 'If we have 6 oranges and buy 3 more, how many do we have?' Let your child act it out and solve.
Identifying and Completing Magic Squares
Part of: Magic Squares and Number Patterns
A magic square is a grid of numbers arranged so that every row, every column, and both diagonals add to the same total. For example, in a 3 × 3 magic square with numbers 1 to 9, each row, column, and diagonal adds to 15. Magic squares are like puzzles: if you know some numbers and the target sum, you can find the missing ones by adding and subtracting.
Why it matters. Magic squares teach children to think logically about groups of numbers and relationships. They build mental maths skills, reasoning, and the idea that numbers fit together in patterns. Solving them requires adding, subtracting, and checking—all important skills.
Try it in two minutes
- Draw a 3 × 3 grid and explain: each row, column, and diagonal must add to 15.
- Fill in some numbers: put 5 in the center, 1 in a corner. Ask: which numbers go where to make each line add to 15?
- Show: the first row has 1 and 5. For it to add to 15, the third number must be 9. So 1 + 5 + 9 = 15.
- Guide: find the missing number in the middle row or a diagonal the same way.
Try at home. Print or draw a magic square with one or two missing numbers. Let your child fill them in and check by adding.
What your child will practise
- Adding and Subtracting Single-Digit Numbers: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Adding Two-Digit Numbers Using Number Lines and Tens Frames: Jungle Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Identifying and Completing Magic Squares: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Skip Counting on a Number Line: Ocean Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Subtracting Two-Digit Numbers Using Number Lines and Tens Frames: Desert Quest (Flip and Match)
- Quiz: Adding Two-Digit Numbers Using Number Lines and Tens Frames (8 questions)
- Quiz: Adding and Subtracting Single-Digit Numbers (8 questions)
- Quiz: Identifying and Completing Magic Squares (8 questions)
- Quiz: Skip Counting on a Number Line (8 questions)