Curriculum

Spelling

Our spelling words are provided through our reading series, Harcourt Trophies.  Students preview the words when we begin a new selection in our reading series.  After spelling the words, we touch spell each word to check for correct spelling.  This strategy allows students to see the mistakes that they may have made when spelling the words. Then, as a class we chant the words together while the teacher writes them on the board.  This allows students to hear and see how to spell the words correctly.  Finally, students rewrite their words correctly on a take-home list.  Tests are given approximately every five days when we complete the selection that accompanies the spelling list.  Students are also tested at the end of each theme on words that we've studied throughout the theme.  A theme consists of approximately five stories and spelling lists.  Finally, students are given a marking period spelling test that includes words that we've studied throughout the marking period.

Language Arts

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, homophones, synonyms and antonyms, root words, suffixes, and word meaning. Dictionary skills, book skills, and listening and speaking skills are presented in greater detail. Different kinds of letters are discussed and written. 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.

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, and calculating sums 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 and be able to solve problems involving basic facts as well as more complex multiplication and division with remainders. 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. They are also introduced to the concepts of improper fractions, comparing fractions, and equivalent fractions. They are introduced to decimals to tenths.

Science and Health

Third grade students cover a wide range of topics in the areas of science and health. The text is utilized as well as many hands-on activities and projects to enhance student learning. The topics covered include: Rocks and Minerals, Machines and Work, The Solar System, and Animals.

Social Studies

The emphasis in third grade is on developing a sense of community. Map skills are a large component of the third grade Social Studies curriculum.  The child will learn to compare and contrast rural, suburban, and urban communities. They will be able to describe the customs, cultures, and traditions of Native Americans, colonists, and pioneers. Students 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. Students will also briefly study American government.