Why 3-Digit Math is a Struggle for Many Kids

Parents and teachers often see kids hit a wall when it comes to adding and subtracting three-digit numbers. While single-digit math facts are easy to memorize, multi-digit operations require a deeper understanding of place value, borrowing, and carrying.

Common challenges include:

• Confusion over borrowing (regrouping) when subtracting
• Losing track of numbers in multi-step problems
• Struggling with basic math facts, making larger problems even harder

If your child or student struggles with these issues, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The good news? There are two proven strategies that can help! ✅

The Solution is Simpler Than You Think!

To help students overcome these hurdles, I’ve created a series of engaging video tutorials demonstrating two powerful math strategies:

1️⃣ “Trouble A-Coming” Strategy for Subtraction

One of the biggest mistakes students make in subtraction is starting a problem before checking for borrowing (regrouping). This leads to frustration when they get stuck halfway through. Instead, we teach students to scan the entire problem first and take care of borrowing upfront.

Why it works:

• Prevents mid-problem frustration ❌
• Creates a clear game plan before solving ✅
• Helps students work more confidently and accurately ✨

2️⃣ The “Dot Method” for Addition & Subtraction

For students who haven’t mastered all their math facts yet, this method is a game-changer! Instead of guessing or using fingers, students use small dots to help them count accurately.

Why it works:

• Provides a visual and tactile approach ️
• Eliminates common mistakes caused by mental miscalculations ❌
• Builds confidence as students develop fluency ✅

Watch, Learn, and Practice with These Videos!

We’ve broken down these strategies into a step-by-step video series that allows students to:

✔️ Watch & Understand – See the method in action with a clear explanation

✔️ Work Alongside the Instructor – Solve problems with guided practice

✍️ ✔️ Try It Independently – Complete “On Your Own” exercises for mastery

Lucy Longneck’s Leaf Feast

Part 1:  Lucy Longneck loves munching on acacia leaves! On Thursday, she ate 749 leaves, and on Friday, she devoured 652 more. How many leaves did Lucy Longneck eat in total? ✨

Part 2: Lucy Longneck’s Journey Home
After a long day of leaf-chewing, Lucy Longneck is headed home. ‍♀️ She is 524 giraffe steps away from her cozy spot. So far, she has already walked 365 steps.

 How many more steps does Lucy need to take to reach home? ‍♀️

️ Timid Timmy’s Great Escape!

Part 1: Timid Timmy is scared of dogs, cats, hawks—and even other squirrels! There are 723 total dogs, cats, and hawks in his neighborhood. If 533 of them are dogs and cats, how many hawks are there?

Part 2: Last week, Timid Timmy escaped from 369 attacks! This week, he dodged 288 more. How many times did he have to run for his life over the past two weeks?

Grab a pencil and solve these problems! ✏️

Enzo the Enforcer: The Fearless Tiger!

Part 1: Enzo the Enforcer rules his jungle with sharp claws and a no-nonsense attitude! He has swiped at 942 animals for bullying, and another 689 for stealing food. How many rule-breakers has Enzo taken down in total? ⚖️

Part 2: Enzo has no tolerance for bullies! When he was a cub, his territory had 648 bullies. Through sheer determination, he convinced 579 to change their wicked ways. How many bullies are still left in Enzo’s domain?

Grab a pencil and solve these problems! ✏️

Madeline Marmot’s Dinner Dilemma! ️

Part 1: Madeline is throwing a huge dinner party! She wants to invite 236 brothers, sisters, and cousins, plus 369 friendly marmots. If everyone attends, how many meals will she need to prepare?

Part 2: Madeline has 97 brothers and sisters. ‍‍ How many cousins does she have?

Grab a pencil and solve these these problems! ✏️

Renly Raccoon’s Campground Caper!

Part 1: Renly Raccoon isn’t a bad guy—he’s just a dad trying to feed his family! ‍‍ Last month, he “borrowed” 379 steaks and 588 hot dogs from some unsuspecting campers. How much food did he take in total?

Part 2: Renly is throwing a birthday bash for his youngest raccoon daughter, who is turning 6 months old! To feed all the neighborhood raccoons, he needs 204 slices of cake . He’s already “acquired” 144 slices—how many more does he need to swipe?

Grab a pencil and solve these problems! ✏️

 To see the rest of this book visit TeachersDungeon.com

Case Study: How One Teacher Transformed Her Students’ Math Skills ✨

Meet Mrs. Johnson, a 4th-grade teacher who was seeing her students struggle with borrowing and multi-digit addition. After implementing the “Trouble A-Coming” strategy and the Dot Method, she saw a 35% improvement in accuracy in just three weeks!

✔️ Students stopped making careless subtraction errors
✔️ Confidence skyrocketed as they mastered tricky math facts
✔️ They completed problems faster and with more accuracy

Mrs. Johnson now swears by these strategies, and so do her students! Your child can experience the same success!

Final Thoughts: Let’s Make Math Click!

Math doesn’t have to be frustrating! By anticipating borrowing and using visual tools like the Dot Method, students can develop stronger math skills and greater confidence. These small shifts in approach can make a huge difference in how children feel about math.

What’s Next? Try out these strategies with your child or students today! Watch the videos, practice together, and watch their math confidence soar!

Click here to see my series on Multiplication.

Click her to see my series on Division.

How about getting a concrete understanding of fractions?

I have a series on illustrating fractions that is specifically designed to build a concrete understanding of this complex concept.  Children who understand fractions at a deeper level are more likely to have a successful educational career .   The series is designed in a similar manner to this book, where each and every problem is linked to a video tutorial.  Here is a link to my series on Fractions.

Have questions or success stories? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!