Elementary School
Third Grade
Language Arts
In third grade, students continue to develop strategies to effectively use language. Through the presentation of reports and journal writing, they learn to write and speak for a specific purpose. Students learn to become strategic readers by identifying the elements of a story. They read expository material for specific information. Study skills include note taking, the use of reference materials, interpreting graphs and diagrams, and test-taking skills.
Vocabulary development continues to include the refinement of phonetic and decoding skills. Word analysis strategies include: homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, analogies, multiple meaning and compound words. Students expand their vocabulary by learning strategies for identifying unfamiliar words.
Reading comprehension skills taught include: understanding fiction and nonfiction reading selections, identifying main ideas, sequencing events, recalling details, making predictions, drawing inferences, and understanding cause-and-effect relationships. Third graders continue to learn and practice the steps of the writing process. Peer conferencing is introduced as another revision technique. Proper grammar, spelling, and the mechanics of writing are taught to enable students to proofread and communicate more effectively.
Mathematics
Third graders focus on fact families in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They continue developing strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. Learning multiplication facts through the 10s is a goal this year. Other third-grade skills include understanding large numbers in addition to working with small numbers using equivalent fractions and decimals (to the thousandths). They continue the study of geometry, negative numbers, telling time, and geometry. Practical application of measurement skills includes linear, weight, and capacity with customary and metric units.
Practical application of measurement skills includes linear, weight, and capacity with customary and metric units. Students perform probability experiments that provide information for analyzing data and predicting outcomes.
Science
The third-grade curriculum focuses on the physical, earth, and life sciences. In the Structures of Life module, students observe and record the structures of a crayfish. After creating an enriched crayfish habitat, students investigate and record behaviors in this habitat. The Structures of Life module consists of four sequential investigations dealing with observable characteristics of organisms. Students observe, compare, categorize, and care for a selection of organisms, and in so doing they learn to identify properties of plants and animals and to sort and group organisms on the basis of observable properties. Students investigate structures of the organisms and learn how some of the structures function in growth and survival.
Students also study the Solar System and the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth. This unit is supplemented with literature that further explains the place of our solar system within the universe.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum in third grade reviews the concept of community. Students gain knowledge about the city in the areas of geography, government, history, and business. Students participate in activities that teach them skills in geography, problem solving, and study skills.
Students also study the regions of the United States and moving west to California. In their study of the regions of the U.S., they learn how geography, climate, and natural resources have impacted the development and history of the areas. The regions are compared to one another. Students extend their skills in geography, problem solving, and study skills. Students also expand their understanding of core democratic values.
Visual Art
The third-grade visual art curriculum continues to focus on the sequential study of the elements and principles of art, including color, line, form, shape, pattern, composition, space, and texture. Students are provided activities to stimulate their imaginations and refine as well as expand their artistic skills, visual acumen, and historic and aesthetic awareness. Students at this level can talk about and produce a high quality of art. They are able to discriminate and form artistic judgments about their art and the creative efforts of their peers.
Physical Education
Third-grade students continue to work on gross-motor skills, spatial awareness, and body control. At this level, there is an increased emphasis on cardiopulmonary fitness, muscular strength, and endurance. Students are encouraged to run or do continuous movement activities to increase their pulse rates. Students explore the principles of eye-hand-foot coordination through a variety of activities. They develop body coordination, strength and endurance, a sense of fair play, and cooperation with others. Students take the President's Challenge Physical Fitness test during the spring.