Common

rain Teaching

Kate
owski
B

WholeBrainTeaching.com
Third Grade Math Power Pix

Developed by Kate Bowski

Design & idea created by Chris Biffle

For more information, visit

Whole Brain Teaching

 Third Grade Math Power Pix

This document highlights 30 topics specific to 3rd grade Math as defined by the
Common Core State Standards. Based on an idea conceived by Chris Biffle, founder
of Whole Brain Teaching, these pictures can be used to actively teach students the
core concepts of a 3rd grade math program. Each Power Pix references the
standards in which the word is addressed: Operations & Algebraic Thinking (OA),
Number & Operations in Base 10 (NBT), Number & Operations – Fractions (NF),
Measurement & Data (MD) and Geometry (G) .

Using Power Pix and Whole Brain Teaching methods, learning becomes multi-
modal, thereby solidifying the concepts in students’ brains. When used as a
teaching tool, the Power Pix help the teacher with gestures and definitions to
attach to each concept. Whether printed out or projected on a screen, these Power
Pix give the students a visual reference for all major Math concepts. When posted
in the room, the Power Pix become an interactive resource for students to use as a
review tool. Imagine filling every spare moment of classroom time by having
students review with each other content specific topics. Now that’s maximizing
instruction!

The following slide shows how to use each pix.

 Common Core Standard
Operations & Algebraic Thinking (OA)
Number & Operations in Base Ten (NBT) Question and Answer for the topic
Number & Operations – Fractions (NF)
Measurement & Data (MD)
Geometry (G)

Grade Level
Concept Word –
colors represent
syllables to help
students with Picture(s)
pronunciation representing the
key word of the
standard

Gesture

The red background on these slides identifies them as part of math concepts.
Language Arts concepts have a blue background.
 Sample Power Pix Lesson

Each WBT lesson follows a format.

1. Question – tell students the question and they repeat
2. Answer – give the answer with a gesture.
3. Expand – use examples to scaffold instruction about concept
4. Evaluate – quick assessment to guide instruction
5. Critical Thinking – students begin to internalize the concept

Question: What is multiplication?

Answer: Multiplication is putting together equal groups.

Gesture: Cross arms like an X. (multiplication) Clasp hands together. (putting together) Put one
arm horizontal over the other like an equal sign. (equal groups)

Teaching Suggestions:
Connect repeated addition to the concept of multiplication.
Students write multiplication problems for pictures projected on the board. Begin to
introduce “factor” and “product”. Share problems using Oral Writing.
Students draw a picture of equal groups and then write an equation for it.
Given a multiplication problem, students create a story problem to match.
Students draw arrays for given multiplication problems.
 Sample Power Pix Lesson (con’t.)

Q/T: Multiplication is putting together equal groups.

Factors are the answers to multiplication problems.
Products are the answers to multiplication problems.
The times sign means “groups of”.
4 + 6 = 10 is an example of a multiplication problem.
7 x 2 means 7 groups of 2.

Critical Thinking:
Encourage students to speak complete sentences explaining multiplication.
(3 x 5 = 15 because ______.)
Factors are like factories because ________________.
Multiplication is more efficient than addition because ______________.
Multiplication is repeated addition. For example, ____________.
Factors and products are like main ideas and details because _________.
 Words Included in Math Power
Pix

Addition, array, area, associative

property, attribute, bar graph,
compare, commutative property,
data, denominator, distributive
property, division, equivalent
fraction, factor, fraction, line
plot, mass, multiple,
multiplication, numerator,
perimeter, place value, picture
 Question: What is addition?
Answer: Addition is putting together.
Third
NBT.A.2
Grade

Gesture: Cross arms like a plus sign. (addition) Clasp hands together. (putting together)
 Question: What is an array?
Answer: A square or rectangular pattern made up of rows and columns.
Third
OA.A.3
Grade

Gesture: Draw a rectangle in the air with finger. Move one hand right to left (rows) and then up and down
(columns).
 Question: What is area?
Answer: The surface inside a shape.
Third
MD.C.5
Grade

Gesture: Draw a square in the air then “wipe” the inside of it with the other hand.
 Question: What is the associative property?
Answer: Grouping numbers with parenthesis when adding or multiplying.
Third
OA.B.5
Grade

Gesture: Hold up 2 cupped hands like parenthesis.

 Question: What is an attribute?
Answer: A characteristic.
Third
MD.C.5
Grade

Gesture: Hold up 2 hands and rub fingers together as if feeling something in each hand. Then flatten
hands out, palms down. (Sign language for “characteristic”.)
 Question: What is a bar graph?
Answer: A graph using bars to show data.
Third
MD.B.3
Grade

Gesture: Put right arm straight up, bend the left at the elbow so it is parallel to the right. (bars) Draw
tallies in the air. (data)
 Question: What does it mean to compare in math?
Answer: Compare tells if something is less than, greater than, or equal to..
Third
NF.A.3
Grade

Gesture: Clasp hands together. (compare) Put palms facing each other close together (less than), pull
hands farther apart (greater than). Put one arm horizontal over the other. (equal)
 Question: What is the commutative property?
Answer: The “flip flop” property. We can add or multiply numbers in any order.
Third
OA.B.5
Grade

Gesture: Hold out 2 hands, palms up. Then flip so palms are down, then back up again.
 Question: What is data?
Answer: Information we collect.
Third
MD.B.3
Grade

Gesture: Draw tallies in the air.

 Question: What is a denominator?
Answer: The bottom number in a fraction that represents the total.
Third
NF.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Put one fist over the other. (represents numerator and denominator) Wiggle the bottom fist.
 Question: What is the distributive property?
Answer: Multiplying across a group of added numbers individually.
Third
OA.B.5
Grade

Gesture: Cross arms like an X. (multiplying) Cross arms like a plus. (added numbers). Move finger in a
tapping motion across front of body. (individually)
 Question: What is division?
Answer: Division is breaking a set into equal groups.
Third
OA.A.3
Grade

Gesture: With palms together, “slice” hands downward. (division) Make a breaking motion as if breaking a
twig. (breaking a set) Put one arm horizontal over the other like an equal sign. (equal groups)
 Question: What is an equivalent fraction?
Answer: Equivalent fractions have the same value but look different.
Third
NF.A.3
Grade

Gesture: Put one arm horizontal over the other. (equal) Put one fist over the other. (fraction) Point index
fingers to ceiling and move back and forth in opposite directions. (same) Put hands up to eyes like
binoculars.
 Question: What is a factor?
Answer: The numbers multiplied together to get a product.
Third
OA.A.1
Grade

Gesture: “Flash” 5 fingers on one hand then the other. (numbers) Cross arms like an X. (multiplied)
 Question: What is a fraction?
Answer: A fraction represents a part of a whole.
Third
NF.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Put one fist over the other. (represents numerator and denominator)
 Question: What is a line plot?
Answer: A number line showing data.
Third
MD.B.3
Grade

Gesture: Draw a line in the air. (number line) Draw tallie marks in the air. (data)
 Question: What is mass?
Answer: The amount of matter in an object.
Third
MD.A.2
Grade

Gesture: Hold 2 hands out, palms facing up. Move them up and down in opposite directions.
 Question: What is a multiple?
Answer: The numbers we say when we skip count.
Third
OA.A.3
Grade

Gesture: Make a “hopping” motion with your index finger moving from right to left.
 Question: What is multiplication?
Answer: Multiplication is putting together equal groups.
Third
OA.A.3
Grade

Gesture: Cross arms like an X. (multiplication) Clasp hands together. (putting together) Put one arm
horizontal over the other like an equal sign. (equal groups)
 Question: What is a numerator?
Answer: The top number in a fraction that represents the part.
Third
NF.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Put one fist over the other. (represents numerator and denominator) Wiggle the top fist.
 Question: What is perimeter?
Answer: The distance around an object.
Third
MD.D.8
Grade
3.G.A.1

Gesture: Draw a triangle in the air.

 Question: What is place value?
Answer: The value of a digit based on its position in a number.
Third
NBT.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Hold up fingers 1, 2, 3. (value of a digit) Move hand across front of body as if drawing 3 small
lines to show ones, tens, hundreds. (position in a number)
 Question: What is a picture graph?
Answer: A graph using pictures to show data.
Third
MD.B.3
Grade

Gesture: Pretend to take a picture. Draw tallies in the air. (data)

 Question: What is a product?
Answer: The answer to a multiplication problem.
Third
OA.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Point index fingers, one on chin, the other a little lower. Then point them in a forward direction
away from chin. (Sign language for “answer”.) Then cross arms like an X. (multiplication)
 Question: What is a property?
Answer: A special characteristic.
Third
OA.B.5
Grade

Gesture: Hold up 2 hands and rub fingers together as if feeling something in each hand. Then flatten
hands out, palms down. (Sign language for “characteristic”.)
 Question: What is a quadrilateral?
Answer: A 4 sided shape.
Third
3.G.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Hold up 4 fingers then draw a rectangle in the air.

 Question: What is a quotient?
Answer: The answer to a division problem.
Third
OA.2
Grade

Gesture: Point index fingers, one on chin, the other a little lower. Then point them in a forward direction
away from chin. (Sign language for “answer”.) With palms together, “slice” hands downward. (division)
 Question: What is rounding?
Answer: To give the closest value of a number using multiples of 10.
Third
NBT.A.1
Grade

Gesture: Hold up thumb and index finger as if showing something small. (closest value) Move finger across
front of body as if it was hopping. (multiples) Hold up 10 fingers.
 Question: What is subtraction?
Answer: Subtraction is taking away.
Third
NBT.A.2
Grade

Gesture: Hold up arm so it is horizontal. (subtraction) Hold up 2 fingers on one hand and 3 on the other.
Move one hand backward to show taking away.
 Question: What is volume?
Answer: A measure for liquids.
Third
MD.A.2
Grade

Gesture: Make a looping motion with one hand (like an wave of water).