Numbers and Balloons

Overview

This week-long unit blends mathematics with a New York theme inspired by Balloons Over Broadway and integrates science explorations to enhance curiosity. Students engage in hands-on station work to build number sense, understand place value, and develop their problem-solving skills aligned to Eureka Math Grade 3 Module 3, Lessons 8-10. The lessons emphasize math fluency, conceptual understanding, and real-world connections within a culturally rich context.

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Standards Alignment

Mathematics (Common Core State Standards):

• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.1
  Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.2
  Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NBT.A.3
  Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 using strategies based on place value and properties of operations.

Science (Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS connections):

• 3-PS2-1
  Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this week, students will be able to:

• Use place value understanding to round numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.
• Add and subtract within 1000 fluently with strategies including breaking apart numbers and using base-ten blocks.
• Multiply single-digit numbers by multiples of 10 using place value reasoning.
• Apply mathematical skills to interpret data related to balloon sizes, weights, and forces as inspired by the Balloons Over Broadway story.
• Investigate how forces affect balloon movement via hands-on science exploration, connecting math and science inquiry.

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Week At A Glance

Day	Focus	Math Activities + Stations	Science Connection	Materials
1	Rounding to Nearest 10 & 100	Station 1: Balloon-themed rounding worksheets; Station 2: Place value rounding games	Balloon shape prediction - testing which balloon sizes might rise higher	Rounding task cards, place value charts, balloons
2	Addition and Subtraction within 1000	Station 1: Word problems based on NYC balloon parade; Station 2: Manipulative practice using base-ten blocks	Force demo: Balanced vs. unbalanced forces with toy balloons	Word problem cards, base-ten blocks, mini balloons
3	Multiplying by Multiples of 10	Station 1: Skip-counting on balloons game; Station 2: Visual arrays using balloon shapes	Designing a balloon: Predicting forces needed to move balloon	Skip count charts, balloon cutouts
4	Integrated Challenge & Review	Math challenge based on parade planning (group work with stations); Science measurement of balloon forces	Group experiment: Measuring force needed to move balloons with varying weights	Worksheets, balloons, scales, timers
5	Assessment & Reflection	Math quiz with rounding, addition/subtraction, multiplication problems	Reflect on science experiment: How math helped understand balloons' motion	Quiz papers, reflection journals

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Detailed Daily Breakdown

Day 1: Rounding Numbers & Place Value Fun

Time: 30 minutes
Objective: Students will round 2- and 3-digit numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.

1. Introduction (5 minutes):

   • Read aloud excerpt from Balloons Over Broadway describing parade balloons sizes.
   • Brief discussion: Why is it important to estimate or round numbers quickly?

2. Station Work (20 minutes): (Students rotate every 10 minutes)

   • Station 1: Rounding Worksheets — Students round the height of various balloons (numbers like 234 feet, 467 feet) to nearest 10 or 100.
   • Station 2: Place Value Games — Using balloon picture cards with 2-3 digit numbers; they sort into “rounded to 10” or “rounded to 100” piles.

3. Wrap-up (5 minutes):

   • Quick group discussion: Share one number they rounded and how rounding helped estimate the size faster.

Materials: Balloons image cards with numbered values, rounding task cards, place value charts

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Day 2: Adding and Subtracting within 1000 — NYC Parade Focus

Time: 30 minutes
Objective: Students will fluently add and subtract within 1000 using written strategies and manipulatives.

1. Launch (5 minutes):

   • Show images of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade collage, focusing on numbers of balloons, floats, and viewers.

2. Station Work (20 minutes):

   • Station 1: Story Problems — Solve addition and subtraction problems involving numbers of balloons (e.g., “If 423 balloons are prepared and 198 are flown, how many remain?”).
   • Station 2: Base-Ten Block Manipulation — Use blocks to model addition and subtraction problems up to 1000.

3. Science Mini-Demo (5 minutes):

   • Teacher demonstrates using toy balloons and forces — explaining balanced/unbalanced forces (preview for tomorrow’s investigation).

Materials: Word problem cards, base-ten blocks, toy balloons

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Day 3: Multiplication by Multiples of 10 — Building Arrays

Time: 30 minutes
Objective: Multiply one-digit numbers by multiples of 10 using place value understanding.

1. Introduction (5 minutes):

   • Connect story: How many helium tanks are needed if each tank fills 30 balloons and there are 7 tanks?

2. Station Work (20 minutes):

   • Station 1: Skip-Counting Game — Use balloon cutouts to skip count by 10s, 20s, 30s, … up to 90.
   • Station 2: Array Creation — Make arrays with balloon pictures to represent multiplication (e.g., 4 rows of 30 balloons).

3. Wrap Up (5 minutes):

   • Volunteers explain one multiplication they created and how place value helps simplify the problem.

Materials: Balloon cutouts, skip counting charts, array sheets

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Day 4: Integrated Group Challenge + Science Investigation

Time: 30 minutes
Objective: Apply math knowledge to a group project; investigate forces scientifically.

1. Group Challenge (15 minutes):

   • Students in groups plan an imaginary balloon parade with a fixed number of balloons. They use addition, subtraction, and multiplication to figure out total balloons, weights, and distance covered.

2. Science Investigation (15 minutes):

   • Using balloons with different weights attached (e.g., paper clips), students measure the force needed to move the balloon across a table (using spring scales or gentle pulls).
   • Discuss how force and weight relate and connect math measurements back to the plan.

Materials: Balloons, paper clips, spring scales, chart paper for calculations

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Day 5: Assessment and Reflection

Time: 30 minutes
Objective: Assess understanding of rounding, addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Reflect on science connection.

1. Math Quiz (20 minutes):

   • Problems include: rounding numbers related to parade; addition/subtraction word problems; multiplication by multiples of 10.

2. Reflection (10 minutes):

   • Students journal about how math helped them understand the science of balloon motion in the parade. Prompt: “What surprised you about how math and science work together in the parade?”

Materials: Quiz sheets, journals, pencils

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WOW Factor

• Cross-curricular Integration: Math stations combined with real science experiments to deepen understanding through sensory and inquiry-based learning.
• Cultural Context: Incorporates the iconic New York balloon parade, connecting mathematics to community events and literature.
• Hands-On & Collaborative: Station rotations keep students actively engaged and allow different learning modalities: visual, tactile, kinesthetic.
• Student Voice: Reflection journals encourage personal connections and metacognition, which supports deeper learning and language skills.
• Creative Presentation: Use of balloons, cutouts, and array-building visually demonstrate abstract math concepts in a concrete, playful way.

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This plan offers a dynamic, standards-aligned approach that empowers 3rd graders to master complex math skills while celebrating culture, story, and science.