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Year 3 White Rose Overview

With thanks to Third Space Learning for this overview: 

Topics covered in Year 3 White Rose Maths scheme of learning

Year 3 autumn term

  • Place value
  • Addition and subtraction
  • Multiplication and division (A)

Year 3 spring term

  • Multiplication and division (B)
  • Length and perimeter
  • Fractions (A)
  • Mass and capacity

Year 3 summer term

  • Fractions (B)
  • Money
  • Time
  • Shape
  • Statistics

 

 

White Rose Maths Year 3 autumn term

In the autumn term, Year 3 focuses on place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

Place value Year 3

Place value is an essential part of pupils’ learning, hence why it is usually the first block pupils cover each year. In Year 3, several new concepts are introduced as well as recapping important concepts taught in Key Stage 1. In KS1, pupils look at numbers to 100. In Year 3, pupils look at numbers up to 1,000. Pupils also expand their knowledge of counting in multiples by counting in multiples of 50. 

place value lesson slide

place value word problem lesson slide

This image shows how place value questions can be put into a real life context and to
recap prior knowledge of measurement. 

Example year 3 place value questions:

1. Write 357 in words

Answer: Three hundred and fifty-seven

2. Represent 529 using place value counters

Answer:

place value counters

3. Complete the next two numbers in this sequence: 300, 250, 200, ……, ……

Answer: 150, 100

White Rose Maths year 3 place value resources

Addition and subtraction Year 3

In the White Rose Maths scheme of learning version 3, Year 3 is introduced to the formal written method of addition and subtraction. This builds on knowledge of adding and subtracting (including regrouping and exchanging) with concrete resources. This is in addition to other methods of addition and subtraction. 

addition slide

Example of moving from concrete, or pictorial if teachers use the slides
with no physical resources, to abstract in addition.

addition with counters

This slide focuses on using known facts to add.
This is an alternative method that pupils can use when completing calculations. 

Example year 3 addition and subtraction questions:

1. Complete the calculation: 527 – 300 =

Answer: 227

2. Complete the calculation: 349 + 218 =

Answer: 567

3. Lola has £436. She spends £172. How much money does she have left?

Answer: £264

White Rose Maths Year 3 addition and subtraction resources

Multiplication and division Year 3

Multiplication and division has been divided into two blocks, Multiplication and Division A in Autumn and Multiplication and Division B in Spring. 

Multiplication and division A

Multiplication and division has been divided into two blocks, one in Autumn and one in Spring. The autumn term block focuses on basic understanding such as equal groups, arrays and sharing and grouping as well as recapping times table facts from Year 2 (2s, 5s and 10s) and introduces other times tables facts (3s, 4s and 8s).

The 3, 4 and 8 times tables are introduced as both multiplication and division facts to reinforce the link between multiplication and division. Year 3 also explores the relationship between the 2, 4 and 8 times tables.

multiplication lesson slide

This explores the relationship between repeated addition and multiplication. 

numberline multiplication

Lesson slide illustrating the relationships between x2, x4, x8

Example year 3 multiplication and division A questions:

1. Adam has 4 bags of cookies. Each bag holds 3 cookies. How many cookies does Adam have in total?

Answer: 4 x 3 = 12

2. Complete the calculation: 36 ÷ 4 =

Answer: 9

3. Complete the grid:

multiplication grid

Answer: Row 1: 4, 8, 16, Row 2: 8, 16, 32, Row 3: 16, 32, 64

White Rose Maths Year 3 multiplication and division resources

White Rose Maths Year 3 spring term

In the spring term, Year 3 continues with multiplication and division and covers length, perimeter and fractions.  

Multiplication and division B Year 3

Once pupils are more confident with times tables facts, they then move on to multiplying and dividing with a 2-digit and a 1-digit number. In Year 3, pupils will not use formal methods (such as short multiplication or short division), instead they focus on using concrete resources such as counters. 

multiplication with money question

Example of multiplying by 10 using concrete resources and in context. 

division with counters slide question

Example of dividing a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number using concrete resources. 

Example year 3 multiplication and division B questions:

1. Complete the calculation: 17 x 10 =

Answer: 170

2. Complete the calculation: 23 x 3 =

Answer: 69

3. Complete the calculation: 64 ÷ 4 =

Answer: 16

Length and perimeter Year 3

Pupils will be familiar with measuring lengths in metres and centimetres from Year 2. In Year 3, they expand this understanding by measuring in millimetres as well as measuring in mixed units (centimetres and metres). Pupils will also explore equivalent lengths and learn about perimeter for the first time. The study of perimeter starts with pupils understanding that perimeter is the distance around a closed 2-D shape.

length question slide

This shows equivalent measures between centimetres and millimetres. 

perimeter slide

Introduction to perimeter by counting squares. 

Example year 3 length and perimeter questions:

1. Compare the lengths 5cm & 5mm

Answer: 5cm > 5mm

2. Convert 3m and 46cm into centimetres.

Answer: 346cm

3. A square has sides measuring 5cm. What is the perimeter of the square?

Answer: 20cm

White Rose Maths Year 3 length and perimeter resources

Fractions Year 3

Like multiplication and division, fractions is split across two terms, Fractions A is in the spring term and Fractions B in the summer term. 

Fractions A Year 3

Fractions A block focuses on understanding fractions including unit and non-unit fractions and representing fractions on number lines. There is also a focus on identifying equivalent fractions. 

The entire topic block on fractions in Year 3 relies on concrete and pictorial representations to solidify pupils’ understanding of the mathematical concept of fractions.

fraction lesson slide

Understanding the denominator in unit fractions. 

bar model fraction

Using bar models to find equivalent fractions. 

Example Year 3 fractions A questions:

1. Use bar models to help compare these fractions: 1771​ & 1221​

Answer: 1771​ < 1221​

2. What fraction is represented by the bar model?

fraction bar model

Answer:5885​

3. Use the bar model to find the equivalent fractions. 610106​ = ?55?​

fraction bar model

Answer: 610106​ = 3553​

White Rose Maths Year 3 fractions resources

Mass and capacity Year 3

In Year 3, pupils recap reading scales in grams and millilitres. This is extended with pupils focusing on measuring mass in grams and kilograms as well as measuring capacity or volume in millilitres and litres. 


Pupils will measure mass using weighing scales and learn to measure capacity and volume using measuring jugs. Pupils will also explore equivalent masses and equivalent capacities or volumes. They will also compare masses and compare capacities or volumes.

Example Year 3 mass and capacity questions:

1. What is the mass of the car? _____kg and _____g

weigh scale image

Answer: 3kg and 500g

2. Joanne has 500g of sweets. Marcy has 650g of sweets. What is the total mass of their sweets?

Answer: 1kg and 150g

3. I have 400ml of water. How much more water would I need to make 1 litre of water?

Answer: 660ml

White Rose Maths Year 3 mass and capacity resources

White Rose Maths Year 3 summer term

During the summer term, the White Rose Maths Year 3 SOL continues with fractions and covers money, time, shape and statistics.

Fractions B Year 3

The summer term fractions block focuses on calculating with fractions, this involves adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator. Pupils build upon their learning from Year 2 (where they found 1221​, 1441​, 1331​ or 3443​ of a set of objects) by finding fractions of objects and amounts. They will focus on finding unit and non-unit fractions of objects and amounts.

Example Year 3 fractions B questions:

1. Add these fractions: 411114​ + 311113​ =

Answer: 711117​

2. Use the bar model to complete the calculation. 2772​ + ? = 1

bar model addition

Answer:2772​ + 5775​ = 1

3. Complete the calculation: 1551​ of 15 =

Answer: 3

Money Year 3

In Year 3 , pupils focus on expressing money as pounds and pence, not involving decimals. 

Pupils look at converting coins, notes or given amounts in pence into amounts written as pounds and pence. Pupils also calculate using money with pounds and pence. This includes finding change, a valuable skill for any child to understand.

Example Year 3 money questions:

1. Complete the conversion: 163p = £___ and ___p

Answer: £1 and 63p

2. Complete the calculation: £2 and 30p + £4 and 85p =

Answer: £7 and 15p

3. Charlie buys a new notebook. She pays using a £5 note. She is given £2 and 30p change. How much does the notebook cost?

Answer: £2 and 70p

White Rose Maths Year 3 money resources

Time Year 3

Pupils begin learning time in Year 2, in Year 3 they expand their knowledge by looking at clocks that have numbers in digits and Roman numerals. Pupils tell the time to the nearest 5 minutes and the nearest minute. 
Pupils are also introduced to reading time on digital clocks and understand am and pm times. Pupils look at facts around years/ months/ days (calendars) as well as facts about days and hours (e.g. how many days in a non-leap year, how many hours in a week). They also calculate durations and convert between minutes and seconds. Finally, they will solve problems involving time such as time word problems.

Example Year 3 time questions:

1. Which time is the earliest in the day? 7:30pm or 7:30am

Answer: 7:30am

2. How many days are in a school week?

Answer: 5

3. The Year 3 maths lesson starts at 10:15. It lasts for 50 minutes. What time does it end?

Answer: 11.05

White Rose Maths Year 3 time resources

Shape Year 3

In Year 3, pupils are introduced to angles. They focus on right angles (not measuring in degrees). They identify right angles and compare other angles to right angles (e.g. greater than or less than a right angle). Pupils are also introduced to the terms acute and obtuse.

Pupils look at types of lines (horizontal and vertical, parallel and perpendicular) and recognise and draw 2-D shapes and make 3D shapes.

Example Year 3 shape questions:

1. Draw two different angles that are less than a right angle

Answer: Accept any two different acute angles.

2. Tick the lines that are parallel.

lines

Answer:

lines answer

3. Draw two different quadrilaterals.

Answer: Accept any two different quadrilaterals.

White Rose Maths Year 3 shape resources

Statistics Year 3

In Year 3, pupils move beyond block diagrams (taught in Year 2) to bar charts. They also recap interpreting and drawing pictograms. In version 3 of the White Rose Maths Year 3 scheme of learning, pupils are introduced to two-way tables for the first time. 

Example Year 3 statistics questions:

colours bar chart

1. How many children voted for green?

Answer: 8

2. Which colour was the most popular?

Answer: purple

3. How many children are in Year 3?

Answer: 57