Review two- and three-digit addition and subtraction problems, both with and without regrouping. Children should also be able to tell the value of each number they write. Knowing these things will simplify learning about third grade concepts such as multiplication, division, and decimals.
Practice counting change at the store or with coins found around the house. In third grade students begin to use money concepts to calculate total costs and per unit costs. Counting coins also helps students understand grouping of numbers--by fives, tens, quarters, etc.
Require your child to tell the time, read a thermometer, and report the date on the calendar to maintain the skills learned in second grade.
Practice fractions at home by dividing food into fractional parts such as halves, thirds, and quarters. Also have your child distribute equal parts to several people.
Provide opportunities to measure things with a ruler, measurement tape, or with measuring cups and spoons while baking. In third grade students will be expected to use tools such as rulers to find the area and perimeter of basic shapes.
Point out basic two- and three-dimensional shapes found around the house and in nature: circles, squares, and triangles; spheres, cubes, and cones. Knowing these shapes well will give your student a solid foundation for the geometric concepts introduced in third grade.