During third grade, students are working on becoming more organized and logical in their thinking processes. Expectations for homework and group projects will both increase this year, and students will often be encouraged to help others and work collaboratively. Throughout the year, students will work on note taking skills from texts, online resources, and slideshows.
Third grade is a year of great social-emotional growth. Students work on balancing friendships with academic skills. There are many opportunities for students to work cooperatively in small groups. It is common for third graders to be both helpful and pleasant, as well as bossy and impatient as they learn and grow from different social situations. Friendships are immensely important, and third graders often build stronger friendships and learn how their choices affect consequences. To foster dialogue around peer relationships and social scenarios, we use the Second Step Curriculum. In addition, students use the MindUP program, which promotes mindfulness practices to help them learn more about themselves, their peers, and the greater community.
In third grade, students participate in Reading and Writing Workshops. These workshops typically include a mini-lesson, small group work, and independent practice. In reading, mini-lessons focus on a range of skills to help develop comprehension, accuracy, and fluency. Reading materials include trade books, fiction, non-fiction and poetry and are read in whole group, small group and independent settings.
In writing, third graders focus on narrative, expository and poetry. Mini lessons may focus on aspects of the writing process, craft, or how to conduct a successful peer review. Students work on getting to know themselves as readers and writers this year and begin to increase their stamina in both. Students also continue to develop spelling, vocabulary, and grammar skills. On Monday, they will be given a list of spelling words to work with and study each week and will have a spelling test each Friday. The number of spelling words will be differentiated as needed for the students. Cursive handwriting instruction will begin this year!
Continuing work with the Handwriting Without Tears program, in third grade students begin cursive handwriting instruction. While it may seem that cursive handwriting is a dying art, it is helpful to remember that without knowing how to read cursive we wouldn’t be able to read important primary documents, such as the Declaration of Independence. Of course, students also continue practicing their keyboarding skills, and some final copies of written work are be typed.
In third grade, students take a trip around the world during social studies! They begin the year by learning a variety of map skills such as cardinal directions, longitude and latitude, and using a map scale. Students study a diverse group of countries and explore the culture, history, geography, people, and governments. Through projects, videos, and various reading materials, students submerge themselves in various world communities.
At the forefront of the math program is a solid understanding of numbers and basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Students engage in rigorous discourse, independent work and self-reflection on a daily basis. Third graders learn about place value and how to read and write multi-digit numbers. Students will move through multi-digit addition and subtraction to multiplication and division. In addition, fractions, geometry, area and perimeter, and measurement are other topic areas that are taught and reinforced.
In science, students continue to develop their ability to work cooperatively and conduct experiments through scientific inquiry. Topics studied include forces and interaction, interdependent relationships in ecosystems, life cycles and traits, weather and climate. In addition, students participate in various STEM challenges completing activities which incorporate components of the science units into hands-on projects. They often work in pairs or groups, further developing their team building and group problem-solving skills.
Small class sizes that allow for more focused and tailored instruction with the support of the IGNITE program
Hands-on, enjoyable learning experiences that foster collaboration, respect and empathy
Highly qualified teachers and assistants that focus on social-emotional development
Active learning environment that instills curiosity and engagement
Physical education program which focuses on character, teamwork and sportsmanship
Exposure to special academic areas including music, library, and visual and performing arts
8:05 - Morning Meeting & Work
8:15 - Morning Work
8:30 - ELA
9:15 - Social Studies
10:00 - Snack & Read Aloud
10:15 - Math
11:30 - Recess
12:00 - Lunch
12:30 - Art
1:15 - Science
2:00 - Gym
2:45 - Pack Up
2:55 - Dismissal
