Curriculum

Math

At the conclusion of third grade, the child should have mastered recognizing and reading numerals to six digits, demonstrating a knowledge of place value from ones to hundred thousands, comparing number values to include ten thousands and calculating sum and differences of numbers up to four places. They should be able to tell time to the nearest minute and estimate and measure using standard units of measure. They will be able to identify basic two and three dimensional shapes and are introduced to the concepts of area, perimeter, and volume. They will learn multiplication and division facts through the tens.  They will be able to read a story problem and determine which of the four operations to utilize to obtain a solution. They will be able to collect and organize statistical data into chart, table, or graph form.

English

Language arts skills are developed in the areas of grammar, mechanics, composition, vocabulary, and study skills. Types of sentences, sentence structure, parts of speech (nouns, verbs, pronouns, and adjectives) and the mechanics of punctuation and capitalization are dealt with in greater detail. Vocabulary in language arts, as well as reading, deals with such things as contractions, synonyms and antonyms, root words, prefixes and suffixes, and word meaning. Dictionary skills, book skills, and listening and speaking skills are developed.  Different kinds of writing are discussed and practiced.  Students are given many opportunities to express themselves in written form using original fiction and poetry as well as research-based reports.

Reading

Third grade students learn more sophisticated skills with regard to vocabulary development, comprehension, oral reading, and dictionary and library skills. More detail in the use of such things as possessives, plurals, prefixes and suffixes is stressed. Multiple and parallel meanings of words are studied, as is the use of graphs and diagrams in following directions. The child explores a variety of literature and is encouraged to read chapter books, poetry, and factual material in addition to the material in the basal.

Science and Health

(Taught by Mr. Moll)

Third grade students will building science process skills, focusing on observation, investigation, and communication skills.  They will be implementing these process skills in three major areas, life science, earth science, and physical science.  The students will utilize these skills to accomplish real-life science tasks and integrate these skills with what they learn throughout the day. 

In the three major areas of life science, earth science, and physical science, third graders will learn about animals and where they live, our Earth and solar system, energy, how things move, rocks and minerals and simple machines.

Social Studies

The emphasis in third grade is on developing a sense of community. The child will learn to compare and contrast rural, suburban, and urban communities. They will be able to describe the customs, culture, and traditions of Native Americans, colonists, and pioneers. They will be able to identify the relationship between natural resources and economic development of a community as well as the importance of conserving these natural resources. They will compare and contrast the problems faced in world communities (population, pollution, transportation, crime, and economics). They are introduced to a variety of techniques for organizing information such as Venn diagrams, flow charts, graphs, and charts.

Handwriting

By the end of third grade, it is expected that the child will have made the transition from manuscript to cursive in regard to correct formation of upper and lower case letters, correct posture and paper position, and is producing legible written work with fluency.  The handwriting curriculum used is Zaner-Bloser.

Spelling

The spelling program is integrated with the Harcourt Trophies reading series.  The program focuses on words from the third grade reading stories as well as phonics instruction.  The focus of the spelling program is to have students transfer correct spelling into their writing in all subject areas.