Back to School Math Performance Task (SBAC • CAASPP • PARCC Aligned) – Grade 3

*BUNDLE COMING SOON--AUGUST 2026*

Support your students in developing the skills they need to successfully tackle math performance tasks with this engaging, real-world “Back to School Supplies” activity. This resource is designed to mirror the structure and rigor of SBAC, CAASPP, PARCC, and other state assessments, giving students meaningful practice with multi-step problem solving, data analysis, and written mathematical reasoning.

Students are placed in a relatable scenario where teachers are preparing for the start of the school year. They must organize supplies, analyze data tables, interpret graphs, and determine whether materials are sufficient for all students. Throughout the task, students are required to explain their thinking using words, numbers, and equations—just like they would on state assessments.

What’s Included

• Full multi-step math performance task (6 questions with multiple parts)
• Real-world scenario connected to back-to-school preparation
• Data tables and a bar graph for analysis
• Constructed response questions requiring written explanations
• Multiple-choice and open-ended questions
• Complete answer key with sample responses
• Teacher rubric (4-point scale aligned to CAASPP expectations)
• Student-friendly rubric for self-assessment

Skills Students Will Practice

This resource goes beyond basic computation and helps students build essential higher-level math skills, including:

• Solving multi-step word problems
• Interpreting and using data from tables and graphs
• Applying multiplication, addition, and subtraction in real-world contexts
• Estimating and evaluating the reasonableness of answers
• Writing clear mathematical explanations
• Using models, equations, and strategies to justify thinking

For example, students calculate totals across grade levels, determine whether there are enough supplies for all students, and analyze a bar graph to make decisions about folder distribution.

Standards Alignment (Grade 3 CCSS)

This resource aligns to key Grade 3 Common Core standards:

Operations & Algebraic Thinking

• 3.OA.A.3 – Solve multiplication and division word problems
• 3.OA.D.8 – Solve two-step word problems

Number & Operations in Base Ten

• 3.NBT.A.1 – Use place value understanding to round whole numbers
• 3.NBT.A.2 – Fluently add and subtract within 1,000

Measurement & Data

• 3.MD.B.3 – Draw and interpret scaled bar graphs

Standards for Mathematical Practice

• MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP6 are embedded throughout the task as students explain reasoning, model with math, and attend to precision.

Why This Resource Is Helpful

This performance task is designed for use throughout the school year, not just test prep season. It provides consistent, structured opportunities for students to build confidence with the types of problems they will encounter on standardized assessments.

The guided nature of the task allows teachers to:

• Model how to break down multi-step problems
• Support students in organizing their thinking
• Teach students how to write complete and clear explanations
• Gradually release responsibility as students become more independent

Students benefit from repeated exposure to:

• Multi-part questions that require sustained thinking
• Tasks that integrate multiple standards in a single problem
• Opportunities to explain and justify their reasoning

By practicing these skills regularly, students develop stronger problem-solving abilities and become more comfortable communicating their mathematical thinking.

How to Use

• Whole group instruction
• Small group intervention or enrichment
• Math centers or rotations
• Homework or independent practice
• Assessment or test prep

This is a no-prep resource—just print and go!

Teacher Tip

Even though multiplication is included, students can successfully complete the task using repeated addition or skip counting. This makes the resource accessible while still supporting the development of multiplication concepts .

This resource is a valuable addition to any 3rd grade math classroom looking to strengthen problem solving, reasoning, and real-world application skills while preparing students for the expectations of state assessments.