Third Grade Math with Confidence Review
Intro to MWC
Math with Confidence (MWC) is a K-4 (soon to be 5th and 6th) math program designed specifically for one-on-one settings like homeschool or a tutoring setting. At this point, I have used levels K-3 with my children and am preparing to repeat K and 2nd and start 4th next year with my three kids. (I’ll update this to reflect our progress in future.)
I have written a number of articles about MWC - you can find a list of these below. Then, keep scrolling to read my breakdown of the third-grade level.
Heads up: This post contains affiliate links. That just means, if you use one of my links to a product, I may earn a commission on that purchase, but it won’t cost you any extra money. Learn more.
Related Math with Confidence Articles
(Links will be added as the articles are completed.)
Kindergarten Math with Confidence Review
Second Grade Math with Confidence Review
Samples
In order to see samples of the third-grade level, follow the steps in the box below.
The sample instructor’s guide includes: Table of Contents, Scope and Sequence, Sample Lessons, Blackline Masters (they’re easier to print off here than copy from the physical Instructor’s Guide), and a list/chart of the memory work for the year.
The sample student workbooks A & B include sample lessons from across the course. None of the unit assessments are included in the preview.
Go to the publisher’s website: welltrainedmind.com/mwc
Scroll down to the Third Grade section.
Just under the video you’ll find samples in green boxes. (BTW in this video the author flips through and explains the book - worth a watch!)
Download the Third Grade Instructor Sample with Blackline Masters and Memory Work AND the Third Grade Student Sample.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTE: MWC has also provided a “Color Blind” version. You can download this PDF under the video as well. It is only applicable for a few lessons, so you would print them off this PDF to use with your student book on the lessons that need replacement images to make them accessible.
Structure
Starting with the Third Grade level of Math with Confidence, the author, Kate Snow, no longer divides the book into “chapters.”
Instead, she uses units. These units are each approximately 9-10 lessons long.
While the chapters in previous levels were intended to be completed weekly, this level does not break into weeks. This could be a pro or con. I personally think it is positive.
While weeks can be nice and tidy looking for planning purposes, when you get off schedule it is more messy to deal with (assuming that bothers you). So, though advanced planning of units may take a bit more forethought and initial planning, it doesn’t matter if you have a sick day or need to do a 5-day week one week and a 4-day week the next.
Student Workbooks A & B
Like previous grades, the third grade MWC student workbooks color-code the bottom of each page according to the chapter (in this case, unit). Furthermore, there are both page numbers and lesson numbers (like Lesson 14.3) on the bottom of each page.
However, third grade “ups the ante” with 3 student workbook pages per lesson (rather than 2 like second grade). Workbook A covers the first half of the year and book B covers the second half. Each is about the same size as the previous year’s student books.
Also, for those who haven’t used the curriculum for previous grades, know that you will not be able to utilize the student workbooks without the instructor’s guide. Although it is an additional cost initially, the instructor’s guide is reusable. So, buy one and you’re done for all your kids. Then just replace the student workbooks for each level as you need them.
Page 1 - Lesson Activities
Complete together (shows double person icon).
The first page in each lesson shows a 2-person icon because it is completed as part of the lesson along with the teacher's guidance. Snow suggests that the parent may want to write down the answers as they discuss it to give their kid less writing to do. I typically do this (unless my kid requests to write).
Page 2 - Practice
Complete independently (single person icon).
The second page contains practice on the current lesson's new skills. Although it is intended for independent practice, it is a new skill. So, I try to be available to help and answer questions as needed.
And sometimes we just complete this page together as well as the first page.
Page 3 - Review
Complete independently (single person icon).
The third page of each lesson is a review of previous concepts. This is intended to be completed independently as well. It often can be completely independently - unless it is reviewing something my child has struggled with or has forgotten. Generally I have him complete this review page by himself before we do the lesson together. This way I can work with my younger children first and then meet up with him to teach his new lesson.
These student activity pages can be torn out of the workbook if desired; however, because there are 3 pages per lesson there is always another lesson's page attached to one of the pages. So we generally keep them in the book. Writing in the book hasn’t seemed to cause any problems for my kids, and I have both “lefties” and “righties” in my house.
Instructor’s Guide
Introduction and General Info
The Instructor’s Guide is a 575+ page book with a glued spine. I like to spiral bind mine and have a plastic cover put on the front, since I purchase them with the intent to use with three kids.
Kate Snow includes so much helpful information in the Introduction. It is well worth a read - and you can find it in the sample download mentioned above. She explains what has changed between second and third grade MWC. And then goes on to give suggestions for planning and teaching the curriculum as well as a full list of what supplies you need for the year.
Updating The Math Kit
If you previously created a Math Kit for second grade MWC, you’ll need to add some fraction circles to your kit. (You can use the provided Blackline Master (number 7) if you prefer not to purchase fraction circles.)
If you want to see how I set mine up, check out this article: How to Prep Math with Confidence so It’s Really Open-and-Go.
Here are the fraction manipulatives I bought. I like them because they include the fraction strips in addition to the circles, and they are magnetic. However, I wish they came in a box with a little more storage space. I’ve found that when I put the circles back, the box doesn’t close unless they are perfectly lined up. If you have a small magnetic board, you could just leave them on that. I’ve used cheap, magnetic cookie sheets but they don’t all fit on one.
Additionally, you’ll need to update your Blackline Masters from the second grade ones. I keep mine in a binder along with the BLMs for any other levels I’m teaching. So far this has worked with two kids. I’ll see how it goes next year with three levels in that 1.5 inch binder. You could alternately put yours in the top of your math kit (I think I’ve seen people use a plastic envelope of some sort in the math kit). See this article for how I prep my Math Kit & Binder.
See the Appendices section below for more info on the Blackline Masters for this level.
Unit Structure
Third Grade Math with Confidence includes 16 units, each with approximately 9-10 lessons. Each unit ends with an optional Enrichment Lesson as well as an assessment called the “Unit Wrap-Up.” The Unit Wrap-Up forms the worksheet pages that go along with the enrichment, but the enrichment activity is not necessary to do in order to use the Unit Wrap-Up.
Again, these Units are the new “chapters,” since the units are not broken down into four-day weeks like the previous grades.
Preview
Each unit in the Instructor’s Guide begins with a Preview Section for the teacher. This is very helpful for parent-teachers and I highly recommend reading or at least skimming it.
Each Preview Includes:
Overview of the skills covered
What Your Child Will Learn - aka, learning objectives
Lesson List - each lesson number and title is provided
Extra Materials Needed for the Unit - These extra materials are included in the comprehensive list of additional supplies listed on pages 529-530 under “Other Supplies.” Some of these supplies are optional (for the enrichment lesson) and are notated as such. Picture book recommendations are also included in the third-grade level and are listed at the beginning of the unit in the preview section (under the Enrichment lesson).
Teaching Math with Confidence - This section gives wonderful background information on teaching the concepts and the methodology behind it. Even as a former elementary teacher I find her comments here and throughout the lessons very informative. She provides a lot of fantastic pedagogical knowledge that I either never learned or have forgotten over the years.
Answer Keys
The answer keys for all student pages are in the appropriate unit of the instructor’s guide. You will find them at the back of the unit, after the last lesson, and before the “Unit Checkpoint” mentioned below. These answer keys are in black and white like the rest of the instructor’s guide.
Unit Checkpoint
This very helpful ending to each unit helps the parent determine if their child has sufficiently learned the material to move on and whether any additional review is needed.
Each Checkpoint includes:
What to Expect at the End of the Unit
Is Your Child Ready to Move On?
Again, I highly recommend looking over this especially if you have any concerns or questions about whether your child has mastered the material. Often Snow provides context for the child’s mastery of the material, explaining how it will be reviewed in future chapters. I have often felt relieved after reading this section, as she has reassured me that my kid can move on.
Lesson Structure
For each lesson you’ll need your instructor’s guide as well as the applicable student workbook (A or B), and the math kit and BLM binder, as well as any other additional supplies (listed at the beginning of the Unit in the preview).
The answer keys for each student workbook page are included in the back of the unit inside the instructor’s manual. You may wish to tab this section if you plan to refer to it frequently. Just FYI, the entire Instructor’s Manual is grayscale. So, the student page colors do not show in the answer keys.
Each Lesson follows a similar format:
Top Gray Box - Purpose and Materials & Memory Work - the memory work in this level has moved up to the gray box rather than inside the lesson itself. It’s easy to miss - so note that it’s here!
Warm-Up - This very briefly reviews previous concepts learned.
Activity (A) - This aligns with the Student Workbook’s first page for the lesson. The one with the double person icon. You’ll use the instructor’s book to walk through this activity.
Activity (B) - This section also aligns with the Student Workbook first page. You will use the Instructor Guide to teach this activity.
Activity (C) - There is not always a section C. Sometimes a third activity or a game is included in Section C. The instructions for the games are in light gray boxes in the Instructor’s Guide; no instructions are included in the student workbook. Sometimes games are repeated in future lessons, in which case you will be referred back to the original lesson for the instructions.
Independent Practice and Review - you’ll be referred to the student workbook for your child to complete this independently.
Random Gray Boxes - these are sprinkled throughout to provide additional notes for the instructor. They often include tips on how to know whether your child “gets it” enough to move on, etc.
Do you have to do the lessons in order?
I have really appreciated how Snow has arranged the chapters in this level. The concepts are really becoming much harder - more “big kid” so to speak. And, given the level of work the kids are beginning to do, she has made sure to break up the “harder” concepts with lighter units. For instance, Multiplication is split into three parts in units 2, 4, and 8. In between the kids review the previously learned multiplication facts and practice mental math, fractions, money, etc.
So the short answer to whether you can skip around is YES. You can. However, be aware that the review portions of each lesson (page 3 in the student workbook) will often assume they have covered all the previous chapters.
Toward the end of third grade, we did some skipping ahead and went over some lessons that were “easier” - like Geometry - while letting some of the more frustrating skills percolate a little longer.
Also, remember you do not have to do every page in the book! Let the curriculum serve you. Teachers in schools (and other homeschool parents) are not finishing every single problem or every single page. Use what works and move on in freedom. If you have to you can always go back and review! That’s one of the beauties of giving your kids a bespoke education by homeschooling them!
Assessments
Third grade introduces unit assessments. At the end of each unit, there is an Enrichment lesson. There are activities similar to a regular lesson (that we usually skipped just FYI) as well as a “Unit Wrap-up.” The Unit Wrap-Up takes the place of the regular lesson workbook pages. And like the regular workbook pages, they are found in the corresponding student workbook.
Even though she does not call them tests or assessments, they work perfectly as an end-of-unit test to see what your child knows. IF you want to!! I did not necessarily use them often but probably will in fourth grade as I want my bigger kids to get used to standard practices as they prepare to eventually take more classes out of the house.
Anyway, if you are looking for a formal assessment that you grade, or even a check-in to make sure you know whether they’ve understood - these Unit Wrap-Ups are there for you. They also could be useful for record-keeping, esp. if you have specific requirements for assessing and recording progress. (This article explains how I keep records.) But if you don’t want to use them for any of these purposes, no need to feel guilty - just skip them!
Appendices
Following is what is included in the Appendices of the Instructor’s Guide. These resources are quite useful. So, you may want to tab them or copy them.
Complete Picture Book List - If you plan to use the picture books with your kids, you can use this master list for planning what you will need to buy (or check out) throughout the year. I’m ashamed to admit, I haven’t used the picture books - as much as I love the idea.
Scope and Sequence - text
Complete Memory Work List - This is a quick reference of the memory work for the whole year. This could be used as a checklist as your kid “masters” each memory work concept, saved for your records of what your child memorized, or used as a reference for practicing throughout the year.
Materials List - I always make a copy of this section and highlight it or check off as I gather the materials (or confirm that I already have them).
Guide to the Blackline Masters - This will explain where to find the downloadable version of these (which I highly recommend, as it gives you much cleaner copies than trying to fit a thick book on your printer). It also explains which BLMs are used the most frequently, which are for short-term use (and the lesson or unit), and which are optional.
Memory Work (BLM 1) - (2 pages) Though I had it in my binder, I rarely referenced this. It could come in handy esp. if you want to focus on the memory work more than I did.
How to Read Word Problems (BLM 2) - If you wanted to copy or write this on a card to keep accessible it could be useful. I did not personally use this BLM, although I did copy it and put it in my binder.
Memory Work (BLM 3) - (2 pages). This is a MUST HAVE. My recommendation is to copy both pages and then keep them in two sleeves in your binder. Sometimes you just need the tens and ones, and sometimes you need both of them.
Addition and Subtraction Algorithms (BLM 4) - This is just a black and white copy of the algorithms as she presents them in the student book. It could be useful to keep on a bulletin board if you want. I didn’t utilize this BLM, though I kept it in my binder.
Dot Array and L-Cover (BLM 5) - (2 pages). This is a MUST HAVE as well. For this one, I copied the first page on a piece of cardstock (but I don’t think that is necessary) and then I printed the second page (the L shape) and traced it onto a colorful piece of cardstock. I really liked having this on a firmer piece of paper. Then, I placed both inside an Avery secure-top sheet protector in my binder.
Multiplication Strategies (BLM 6) - Again, this might be useful for reference on a bulletin board. I didn’t use this one.
Fraction Circles (BLM 7) - Only use these if you don’t have plastic or wooden ones. I preferred to buy these. If you do use these, I’d recommend printing them on cardstock and then keeping in a secure-top sheet protector or in your math kit.
Paper Ruler (BLM 8) - I would actually recommend preparing this even though you probably have real rulers in your house. She has them use this and draw 1/2 and 1/4 inch marks on it. This removes some of the distractions of a regular ruler and the confusion of all the little tick marks. I would suggest printing this on cardstock. Maybe just make a couple copies while you’re at it. Be sure to select “actual size” on your printer for an accurate ruler (if you are printing from the website rather than copying the Instructor’s Guide)!
Quadrilateral Cards (BLM 9) - These are used for several lessons. Just make a copy (preferably on cardstock), cut them out and store in your binder or math kit.
Pentominoes (BLM 10) - Just like BLM 9, print on cardstock, cut out and store in binder or math kit. They are only used for a couple lessons at the end of the book. But they are needed for those lessons.
Nets (BLM 11) - (6 pages) These are only used in Lesson 13.5. Just copy them on regular paper and save them for later. You can stick them straight in your binder without a sheet protector as they will be cut out in the lesson. They are used to let the kids guess which 3D shape it will form and then the kid can fold and tape them. I didn’t use them because we just briefly reviewed 3D shapes in this lesson and moved on. (I feel a little guilty for this, but not too much.)
Base-Ten Blocks (BLM 12) - If possible, buy some physical base ten blocks. If you can’t get any, then definitely copy these on cardstock for durability. They are used a lot in third grade and are used again in MWC fourth grade. I got “lucky” and was handed down a set from a teacher friend when she retired. My set is similar to these, but there are lots of options on Amazon and other school supply shops. Again, this is worth the money!
Play Paper Bills for Families Outside the US (BLM 13) - You will need paper money, inside or outside of the U.S. You can use these (they are very tiny) or grab some from a board game. I made my own you can see in my Etsy shop here. You could even write the numbers on index cards and just make your own. But, you will need play money - whether you live in the U.S. or not.
Subtraction Climb and Slide (BLM 14) - I believe this game is included in the student book but can’t recall the lesson. This BLM includes an additional copy of it.
Conclusion
Math with Confidence has been a blessing for our family the past two years. During that time I’ve taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade MWC. And this coming year I will be teaching Kindergarten (again), Second Grade (again), and Fourth Grade (for the first time). My kids love it for the games, and I love it for the way it teaches concepts in a deep way so that they can truly understand - not just simply memorize algorithms.
Further Reading
My articles:
Other Articles:
Check out the author, Kate Snow’s, third grade MWC overview article here.
