3rd Grade STEM Project Based Learning – Playground Print & Digital Math PBL Game

⭐Playground architect is a STEM project-based learning task that involves using 3rd grade math standards to build a model for a playground. In this project, your school is getting a new playground, and the principal has announced an exciting contest for the students where they will submit their idea for the new playground. This resource contains a standards-based unit in both printable PDF and Google Slides versions – so it’s the perfect activity to increase engagement and interest for any classroom. Additional “challenge activities” engage students and develop further understanding of the concepts and skills.

⭐ This project-based learning task involves using the following CCSS math standards

• 3.OA.B.6 Understand division as an unknown-factor problem.
• 3.OA.C.7 Fluently multiply and divide within 100.
• 3.NBT.A.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000.
• 3.NBT.A.3 Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90.
• 3.NF.A.3 Explain the equivalence of fractions in special cases and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.
• 3.MD.A.2 Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l).
• 3.MD.C.5 Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures and understand concepts of area measurement.
• 3.MD.C.7 Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.
• 3.MD.D.8 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons.
• 3.G.A.1 Understand that shapes in different categories (e.g., rhombuses, rectangles, and others) may share attributes (e.g., having four sides) and that the shared attributes can define a larger category (e.g., quadrilaterals).

Key Features:

✏️ Printable & Digital Format – Printable PDF & Google Slides formats make this resource perfect for classroom instruction, distance learning, and everywhere in between. Digital and printable versions are consistent, so they can be used for combination classroom and virtual instruction situations.

✏️ Educational & Engaging – This resource will capture the imagination of your students while they practice key math skills.

✏️ Differentiation – Three challenge activities mean that you can challenge your high-performing students while making the resource accessible to your on-level and below-level students.

What’s Included?

1. Teacher Directions & Standards Addressed
2. Student Directions
3. Modeling Supplies
4. Model Making (Measurement, Area & Perimeter)
5. Let’s Get Building (Area & Perimeter, Multiplication & Division)
6. Playground Features (Area & Perimeter, Converting Measurements)
7. Jungle Gym (Model Building)
8. Finishing Touches (Word Problems)
9. Challenge #1: Mural (Geometry, Fractions)
10. Challenge #2: More Models (Building Models)
11. Self-Reflection & Evaluation
12. Answer Key

Looking for more differentiation? Check out the 4th & 5th grade version!