Strip Diagram: Equal Groups [TEKS Tools Grade 3]
- Aaron Daffern
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
This post specifically looks at how equal groups strip diagrams can be used to solve a variety of problems. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here.
Strip Diagram
Strip diagrams, the first TEKS Tool, account for around 40% of each 3rd grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many variations: part-whole, equal groups, and comparison (the first two being the primary types of strip diagram used).
The main function of a strip diagram is to show the relationship between the quantities in the problem situation. When the relationship is evident, students can select the correct operations and perform accurate calculations.
One thing to note about strip diagrams is that the total can be shown in a variety of ways and positions. I rotate how I represent the total to match the various representations seen on STAAR.
Equal Groups
Equal groups are used to solve problems involving multiplication and division. There are several TEKS listed below that included these operations.
3.4D - determine the total number of objects when equally-sized groups of objects are combined or arranged in arrays up to 10 by 10
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2024-11: the number in each group and the number of groups were given, students had to solve for the total
3.4G - use strategies and algorithms, including the standard algorithm, to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number. Strategies may include mental math, partial products, and the commutative, associative, and distributive properties
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2024-28: the number in each group and the number of groups were given, students had to solve for the total
3.4H - determine the number of objects in each group when a set of objects is partitioned into equal shares or a set of objects is shared equally
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2023-2: the total and the number in each group were given, students had to solve for the number of groups
2025-25: the total and the number of groups were given, students had to solve for the number in each group
3.4J - determine a quotient using the relationship between multiplication and division
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2023-27: the total and the number in each group were given, students had to find the number of groups
2025-2: the total and the number of groups were given, students had to solve for the number in each group
3.4K - solve one-step and two-step problems involving multiplication and division within 100 using strategies based on objects; pictorial models, including arrays, area models, and equal groups; properties of operations; or recall of facts
This standard includes both one-step and two-step problems, both of which can be represented with equal groups strip diagrams.
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2023-15: the number of groups and the number in each group were given, students had to find the subtotal from a portion of the groups
2024-20: the total and the number in each group were given, students had to find the number of groups
2025-10: the total and the number of groups were given, students had to find the initial amount in one group and then divide that portion into smaller groups
2025-21: the total and the number in each group were given, students had to find the number of groups
3.5B - represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using arrays, strip diagrams, and equations
This standard includes both one-step and two-step problems, both of which can be represented with equal groups strip diagrams.
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2023-4: the total and the number of groups were given, students had to solve for the number in each group
2023-29: the number of groups and number in each group were given, students had to solve for the total
2024-15: the number of groups and number in each group (twice) were given, students had to solve for the total
2024-26: the total and the number of groups were given, students had to find the subtotal of part of the groups
2025-8: the total and number of groups were given (twice), students had to find the number in each smaller group
3.6C - determine the area of rectangles with whole number side lengths in problems using multiplication related to the number of rows times the number of unit squares in each row
Before the formal introduction of a formula, an equal group strip diagram can be used to solve problems involving area.
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2023-14: the number of groups and the number in each group were given, students had to solve for the totals
2024-21: the number of groups and the number in each group were given, students had to solve for the total
2025-20: the number of groups and the number in each group were given, students had to solve for the total
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