Third Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
Reading
Apply word attack skills when reading.
Demonstrate comprehension of fiction and nonfiction selections using a variety of genre and employing multiple strategies.
Read for a sustained ,silent period of 15 minutes daily or 45-75 minutes per week.
Writing
Use the writing process to create an informational paragraph including a main idea sentence , major and minor details.
Write legibly in upper and lower case cursive letters to form words.
Use the writing process to write a narrative piece.
Correctly spell a selected list of most frequently used and frequently misspelled words appropriate for third grade.
Use the writing process to write a five paragraph expository report including introductory and concluding paragraphs.
Write an exposition explaining a point of view with teacher direction.
Write a variety of poetry.
Listening
Critically listen to a public speaker and be able to form questions and recall and record key information.
Speaking
Role play using verbal and nonverbal language.
Orally deliver a short presentation using appropriate verbal and nonverbal language.
Research/Study Skills
Summarize expository selection by analyzing the main ideas and major details.
Find appropriate resources to research a topic and create a product.
Use a dictionary.
Develop effective study habits.
Apply effective test taking strategies.
Balanced Literacy
Read and Write Aloud,
Shared Reading and Writing,
Guided Reading and Writing,
Literature Circles and,
Independent Reading and Writing.
Science
Plant Growth and Development
Describe the life cycle of living things.
Investigate photosynthesis.
Explain plant anatomy.
Sun Moon & Earth
Compare the physical features of Sun, Moon & Earth.
Describe and model the rotation and revolution of celestial bodies and how it results in seasonal changes.
Simple Machines
Describe work and how forces , pulls and pushes can be changed.
Investigate friction .
Hydrosphere
Construct a water cycle model.
Describe uses of water.
Interpret data on water use.
Health
The third grade health education curriculum focuses on:
Healthy friendship.
Overview of six body systems.
The skeletal and muscular systems.
Communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Unsafe behaviors, environmental hazards and injuries.
Medicines and non-medical drugs.
The effects oh alcohol and tobacco on health.
Nutrients and food groups.
Dental health.
Social Studies
Third grade social studies curriculum focuses on the regions of the United States. Students study the physical and cultural characteristics of the northeast, southeast, Midwest, rocky mountain, southwest, and pacific regions. By studying the people, the products, and natural resources of these regions, students will discover the uniqueness of our country. Units include introductions to the United States, regional geography, and map skills. Students will research individual states and be introduced to core democratic values.
Mathematics
Mathematical Thinking at Grade Three
In this introductory unit, students solve problems in three mathematical strands: number, data, and geometry .They explore the characteristics of 100 investigate doubles and halves in numerical and geometric contexts, and collect and represent data about themselves.
Things That Come In Groups
Students will begin to develop an understanding of multiplication and division, their properties and number relationships using various models and strategies. Students recognize generalized patterns of multiplication and construct representations of these mathematical relationships.
Flips, Turns, and Area
Students will develop an understanding of shape, congruency and area through geometric translations. Students observe connections between shape and number as they continue to represent area models for multiplication.
From Paces to Feet
Students will develop understanding of standard and nonstandard units of measure and choose appropriate units. Students represent and record, and begin to interpret measurement data in tables, charts, and pictures.
Landmarks in 100's
Students will develop an understanding of 100, factors of 100, and multiples of 100 (up to 100).
Combining and Comparing
Students will develop ,articulate, and use their own addition and subtraction strategies to solve problems that involve comparing and combing situations .Students will continue to deepen their understanding about patterns within our number system and develop procedures for computation.
Fair Shares
Students will use fraction and mixed numbers as they solve sharing problems and build wholes from parts.
Exploring Solids and Boxes
Students will sort, build and describe different kinds of polygons and common geometric solids. Students will develop methods to compose three-dimensional shapes.
Physical Education
The elementary physical education department delivers curriculum addressing: physical fitness, cognitive understanding, motor skills, leisure skills and personal/social skill components. Physical education classes meet twice weekly for 30 minute periods.
Art
Art class meets once weekly for a forty-five minute period. Students explore ideas about themselves, their world and other cultures through work in various art processes such as painting, collage, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. Art history is a major component of the elementary art curriculum. References to art of the past and present teach how ideas have been explored by others.
Library
The elementary library media centers are at the heart of education at TCAPS. With a minimum of 30 minutes each week at the library , our students are surrounded by wonderful resources for school research and individual reading enjoyment. Special reading promotions throughout the year encourage our students to develop a love of reading and a desire to "find out more" at the library.
Classroom Tools
Minimum of three desktop computers
Access to wide area network
Access to internet and world wide web
Access to software
Television
Video cassette recorder
Telephone
Electronic and voice messaging system
From Yardsticks
Children in the Classroom
By Robert (Chip) Wood
The eight year old...
Full of energy
Needs physical release
Prefers same gender activities
Talkative
Exaggerates
Works Quickly
Likes to work cooperatively
Resilient
Trouble with limits and boundaries