Students solved one-step problems about data in grade 2. In this lesson, students first create a picture graph and a bar graph that represent how they get home from school. Then they solve one- and two- step “how many more?” and “how many fewer?” problems using data presented in a bar graph. 

Consider launching the lesson with a read-a-loud of Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. This book’s story about a boy’s bus trip with his grandmother connects well to the context of travel that is used in this and other lessons in this unit. The book also addresses race, class, and other topics that can encourage conversations and allow students and the teacher to learn more about one another. 

Math Community

Tell students they will have a chance to revise their math community ideas at the end of this lesson. As they work today, students should think about actions that may be missing from the current “Doing Math” column of the poster.

Think about who participated in math class today. What assumptions are you making about those who did not participate? How can you leverage each of your students’ ideas to support them in being seen and heard in tomorrow’s math class?